Two goals in five minutes by Jermain Defoe put Tottenham in the FA Cup fifth round after they came from behind to beat an impressive West Brom.

Kanu headed the visitors in front as they began the game far more energetically than the home side.

Robbie Keane levelled from the spot after Steven Kelly was fouled by Russell Hoult, who was stretchered off.

Defoe's stunning effort just after the break put Spurs ahead before Freddie Kanoute set up Defoe's second goal.

Former Arsenal player Kanu had given the visitors a deserved early lead when he headed home Zoltan Gera's right-wing cross.

Fellow ex-Gunner Kevin Campbell and West Brom's Paul Robinson then drew good saves from Tottenham keeper Paul Robinson as the Baggies threatened to increase their advantage over the dazed-looking home side.

Defoe's shot wildly over was Tottenham's only real first half threat until Hoult was stretchered off giving away a penalty for bringing down Kelly, with Robbie Keane put past substitute Tomasz Kuszczak.

But the game was transformed just after the break courtesy of two stunning strikes by Defoe.

First he lashed home a dazzling shot from the edge of the box after Michael Carrick's free-kick, then fellow ex-West Ham colleague Kanoute set him up to drive in another from 10 yards.

West Brom did not give up, however, and signalled their determination to keep fighting by bringing on the ever-dangerous Robert Earnshaw for Kanu.

Defoe nearly claimed a hat-trick when Carrick's through-ball opened up the West Brom defence, but Kuszczak was quick to smother the opportunity.

In a frantic finale, Robinson had to be at his best to keep out a long-range free kick by Neil Clement, before Simon Davies went down the other end and produced an excellent save from Kuszczak.

Afterwards, West Brom manager Bryan Robson pointed the finger of blame at the officials for his side's exit from the Cup.

"When your players play well and put in a good performance, the officials must get things right," he said.

"I thought throughout the game, decisions went against us.

"We've got two important game coming up, against Southampton and Birmingham. If we perform like we did in the first half, that gives us some chance."

Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe: "We decided to go with three up front, which went okay for us," he said. "It was difficult to get on the ball in the first half but the second was better.

"Cup games are special. The manager stressed to us before the game that it was a special one and now we're through it feels really good.