Defoe on target for Spurs in Europa League

Tottenham's encouraging start to the season continued unchecked as Andre Villas-Boas' post-Gareth Bale era side made it two out of two in the Europa League on Thursday.

Spurs shrugged off hostile weather conditions in Russia to deny Anzhi Makhachkala 2-0 and tighten their grip on Group K, going four points clear.

Jermain Defoe celebrated his call-up to the England squad earlier in the day for this month's final batch of World Cup qualifiers with the first goal.

Set up by Lewis Holtby he struck from inside the box after the half hour mark, rifling the ball into the roof of the net.

That left the striker one goal shy of Martin Chivers' European club record tally of 24.

Nacer Chadli doubled up five minutes later for his second goal since arriving from FC Twente.

Again Holtby was involved, playing the ball out to Kyle Walker, with the right-back slipping the ball across to Chadli to sweep home.

The game, played on the Ramenskoye pitch in the Moscow suburbs 1,100 miles away from Anzhi's home stadium due to the conflict in Dagestan, turned more in Anzhi's favour after the break, but they were unable to find a way back.

Villa-Boas, who had fielded a nearly all-fresh line-up from the side that drew 1-1 with Chelsea last weekend and with West Brom looming on Sunday, looked more than satisfied with his 'B' side's showing as did the 150 or so fans who had made the trip from north London.

The Portuguese boss said: "In the second half we lost control of possession a little. However defensively we were sound and managed to take a deserved win.

"A win is what we wanted and gives us the opportunity in the next games against Sheriff to ensure qualification."

Anzhi, who have sold almost all of their stars after billionaire owner Suleiman Kerimov decided to restructure the club and drastically shrink their budget, are without a win in any competition this campaign.

In other early Europa League action Valencia picked themselves up from their opening loss to Swansea with a 2-0 Group A win at Kuban Krasnodar.

In Group D another Russian outfit, Rubin Kazan, moved up to a maximum six points on the strength of a 4-0 win over Zulte Waregem from Belgium

Zulte had drawn last time out with FA Cup winners Wigan who are hosting Slovenian visitors Maribor.

Trouble flared in Sofia ahead of Croatian side Dinamo Zabreb's Group B game with Bulgaria champions Ludogorets.

Police made 45 arrests, 22 of those involved supporters detained for hooliganism, 21 for failing to obey police orders, and two other fans were picked up for theft.