The striker was speaking after scoring the goals that ensured them top spot. Defoe could only sit and watch as Spurs produced some of the most memorable performances in the club's history after suffering ankle ligament damage on England duty in September. The injury looked set to rule the striker out of the entire group campaign but he defied the medics by returning almost a month ahead of schedule. The 28-year-old made his full debut in the Champions League proper on Tuesday night and his determination to contribute to the cause saw him net twice in a 3-3 draw at FC Twente, the latest rollercoaster ride of a match for Harry Redknapp's great entertainers. Defoe revealed afterwards just how "frustrating" being sidelined had been but claimed he was now feeling stronger than ever. "I did my rehab, didn't cut any corners, worked really hard to get myself back," said Defoe, who admitted he needed more games to build up his match fitness after completing what was his first 90 minutes since August. "I really should've been out three months but I put all the work in so nailed it down to two. "I wanted to come back and feel strong; I didn't want to rush it and then you come back and you break down again. "I feel a lot stronger than I was before." Needing to win to guarantee top spot and what on paper would be an easier second-round draw, Spurs led three times only to throw away the advantage on each occasion. Inter Milan's 3-0 defeat at Werder Bremen made Tottenham's result academic but Defoe was still upset at his side's failure to record what would have been their first away victory in the competition. "A little frustrated that we didn't actually win the game; I thought we deserved to," said Defoe, who netted the second and third goals. "But to get the two goals feels good. "And top of the group. Obviously, that's what we wanted to do before the game. "The manager said to us, 'At the end of the day, we've done so well so far. Just try to finish it off by winning the game'. "We didn't win the game but we're still top." And Defoe reckons the manner of Spurs' performances have sent out a message to the rest of Europe. The north Londoners scored 18 times in the group stage - a record for a rookie team and only two short of the all-time mark of 20 set by Manchester United's treble winners. There were also an incredible 29 goals in total in their six games - 38 in eight when the qualifying round is included. Defoe said: "I think it sends a good message because we're scoring a lot of goals at this level. "It's always important not to concede as well but we created a lot of chances, which is always good. "We're always going to do that with the players we've got anyway. "I suppose now teams, when they come up against us, know they're going to be difficult games." And Defoe also had a warning for Champions League, Premier League and international defences as he claimed his two-month lay-off would make him fresher and hungrier to score goals for the second half of the season. Asked if the break would benefit him, he replied: "Massively. "For me, it was just like the start of my season. I did a mini pre-season. "It's always important to feel fresh towards the end of the season. "I think I'll do that because, obviously, I had two months off."
