Andre Villas-Boas has lauded Jermain Defoe's start to the season

Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas has heaped praise on Jermain Defoe after the striker’s blistering start to the season.

The Spurs and England hotshot has scored nine Premier League goals already this campaign, including a brace against Fulham last time out.

The 30-year-old also bagged a Europa League hat-trick against Maribor last month and as Villas-Boas prepares his side for their next European assignment, against Panathinaikos on Thursday night, he took time to acknowledge Defoe’s impressive form.

The Portuguese said: “He is amazing. He is going through a very, very good moment of his career.

“He is extremely motivated, he has a smile on his face, [he is] a good professional and it’s good to see him delivering so much and doing his business, which is score goals.