TOTTENHAM squandered an early lead as they fell to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of reigning Premier League champions Manchester United in a thrilling game at White Hart Lane.

Jermain Defoe continued his incredible scoring run with his fifth of the season after just 48 seconds yesterday. Benoit Assou-Ekotto's delivery into the box was met by the head of Peter Crouch and Defoe was on hand to fire the ball past Ben Foster with an acrobatic overhead kick.

Spurs looked like a team brimming with confidence in the first quarter of the game, but United soon found their feet and they drew level thanks to an expertly taken free-kick by Ryan Giggs.

The momentum had shifted, and the champions gained the lead just before the break, with Anderson drilling a low shot past Carlo Cudicini from the edge of the box.

The second half produced more attacking football, and the hosts would have been confident of earning at least a draw when Paul Scholes saw red for a second bookable offence.

Jermaine Jenas saw his curling effort superbly saved by the diving Foster in Spurs' best chance of the half.

But the game was put beyond doubt when Wayne Rooney easily held off the challenge of substitute Alan Hutton and placed his shot between the legs of Cudicini.