defoe made his return debut on 11 january 2009 in a premier league match against wigan athletic. he scored his first goal against former club portsmouth at white hart lane on 18 january 2009, in a match which finished 1–1. he also scored his team's second goal in the league cup semi-final second leg loss at burnley, which helped spurs book a place in the final with a 6–4 aggregate win. he scored three goals in his first four matches before suffering a broken foot which meant that he returned for spurs against newcastle united on 19 april in which the club won 1–0. he scored his first goal since his return from injury in a 2–1 win against manchester city and helped his team secure eighth place in the league.