Spurs put a sluggish first half behind them to take the lead through pacy youngster Andros Townsend, who fired past goalkeeper Rob Elliot to mark his debut with a goal.
Defoe, who started his career with the Addicks, made it 2-0 with a low drive before rounding off the victory by stabbing home from 18 yards for his fifth of the season.
Spurs manager Harry Redknapp, who had hoped David Beckham would be in the stands to watch the match, announced that a loan deal for the star had fallen through before kick-off, and that the midfielder would come to the club just to train for a month.
On this evidence Townsend, who recently had his season-long loan terminated at Ipswich, may prove to be as exciting an option as the former England captain.
Source: PA
Source: PA