HT Tottenham 1-0 Wigan: Crouch's early strike gives Spurs the advantage

Tottenham striker Peter Crouch fired his side into a half-time lead over Wigan at White Hart Lane.

Crouch struck early by latching onto a cross by Aaron Lennon, who was making his return from an ankle injury that forced him to miss three games.

Jermain Defoe struck the bar later in the opening first 45 minutes.

Tottenham skipper Robbie Keane was on the bench against Wigan at White Hart Lane following his World Cup efforts with Republic of Ireland in midweek.

Keane scored the goal that sent his country towards penalties in their play-off against France before Thierry Henry's infamous handball - and Spurs boss Harry Redknapp chose to rest his striker on his return to club football.

Redknapp welcomed back Aaron Lennon after the England winger's ankle injury, replacing Jermaine Jenas, while Michael Dawson was drafted in because Ledley King was out with a hamstring problem.

Niko Kranjcar was also recalled, while midfielder Wilson Palacios made his first appearance against the club he left in January.

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez named the team that drew against Fulham last time out.

Crouch offered a couple of early warnings before his opener, the first seeing him stab side when Lennon drilled a cross from the right after immediately being part of the action on his comeback.

He also headed over at the near post after another cross from the same flank, this time from Palacios - but the former Portsmouth striker made no mistake with his third effort.

Palacios started the ninth-minute move by feeding Lennon on the right, with the England winger sending over a gorgeous cross between goalkeeper Chris Kirkland and centre-back Titus Bramble. Crouch was at the back post to head home.

Lennon almost added a second immediately after creating the opener, forcing Kirkland to save his volley on the rebound after Emmerson Boyce cleared off the line to deny Jermain Defoe.

Kirkland also saved from Palacios at full stretch after a 25-yard drive, while Wigan's response was a volley from Mohamed Diame that flew wide.

Wigan had not won in London since 2006 when they defeated West Ham - and the threat Spurs posed meant it appeared unlikely they would break that run. Tom Huddlestone was the next to go close, with a drive that shaved Kirkland's post.

The visitors, however, kept looking for the counter-attack and Jason Scotland forced Heurelho Gomes to save at his near post after former Spurs full-back Erik Edman fed him the ball on the edge of the area. Charles N'Zogbia also went just over with a curling effort and got closer with a free-kick.

Before the break, Defoe raced onto Niko Kranjcar's reverse ball and saw his finish tipped onto the crossbar by Kirkland. The England striker also had another powerful effort turned over by the goalkeeper.