Spurs ended their 17-year wait for a win at the home of their arch-rivals when they came from 2-0 down at half-time to triumph 3-2 at the Emirates Stadium.
The introduction of Defoe during the break was the catalyst for the comeback, with the England striker's flick-on helping set up Bale to make it 2-1. Rafael van der Vaart's penalty and Younes Kaboul's late header then sealed one of the most improbable and memorable derby victories ever recorded by Tottenham.
Defoe said: "Second half, I think they eased off a little bit. Sometimes, it's difficult when you go 2-0 up. People think you just go on and you win the game quite comfortably.
"But sometimes you take your foot off the gas. I think they did that and when we got the goal back - the first goal - after that I knew we'd win the game."
Source: PA
Source: PA