AFP - Tottenham Hotspur missed out on a loan for David Beckham but another right midfielder in Andros Townsend scored the opener in their 3-0 FA Cup third-round victory over Charlton at White Hart Lane here Sunday.
Harry Redknapp had wanted Beckham as cover for Aaron Lennon, so Townsend?s performance at least indicated the Spurs manager does have options.
Jermain Defoe, playing against the club he left early in his career, was jeered by away supporters but added the other second-half goals.
Spurs fans arriving at the ground were told Beckham would not be playing for them on loan but would train at the club until February 10 before returning to Los Angeles Galaxy for the Major League Soccer season.
"I think there are problems with the insurance," said manager Redknapp.
"As far as playing goes, it looks like a no-goer."
Instead of the focus being on the former England captain, attention turned to the FA Cup and whether Tottenham could add to their eight triumphs.
Spurs traditionally do well when the year ends in 1 - they have won the trophy five times in those seasons - and Redknapp is hoping 2011 will bring more success.
"We would all love nothing better than to reach a Cup final if we can," he wrote in his programme notes. "I believe that with this squad we have a real chance too."
Third division Charlton, however, were in the mood for an upset. They were helped by two former Spurs players in Gary Doherty at centre-back and winger Johnnie Jackson.
It was Jackson who provided the cross for the clearest chance of the first half, but Scott Wagstaff stabbed his finish wide of Carlo Cudicini's post.
Addicks goalkeeper Rob Elliot also performed well, denying Roman Pavlyuchenko twice and palming away a dangerous cross from debutant Townsend, who had just returned from a loan spell at Ipswich.
Defoe also had a first-half chance but veteran defender Christian Dailly bravely blocked.
England striker Defoe was returning from suspension and Redknapp also used some of his fringe players such as Niko Kranjcar and Sandro before bringing on Luka Modric at half-time.
Spurs were ahead four minutes after the interval through Townsend. He was fed the ball by Sandro 25 yards from goal and took a touch before drilling into the bottom corner.
Cudicini pulled off a stunning save to deny Matt Fry a long-range equaliser before Defoe doubled the lead just before the hour mark.
He surged into the penalty area and breezed past Dailly before tucking away his finish.
Defoe's second goal came two minutes later after he took advantage of a ricochet in the penalty area, with his first effort saved by Elliot before he finished from the rebound.
Elliot was kept busy but Cudicini was also called into action when substitute Kyel Reid struck a powerful shot from the edge of the penalty area.
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