TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR ARE within sight of the Premier League’s top four after dismissing Stoke City 3-0 at White Hart Lane.

Tim Sherwood’s side are now three points back from fourth place Everton following a strong second-half showing. Stoke battled and chased hard in the opening stages as they sought to bounce back from their heavy loss to Newcastle, when they finished with nine men.

Spurs broke the deadlock on 37 minutes when Ryan Shawcross blocked an Emanuel Adebayor shot with both hands. Roberto Soldado stepped up to score from the spot. It was the Spaniard’s fifth Premier League goal of the season, four of which have been penalties.

Paulinho was starting to boss affairs in the Spurs midfield and a second goal eventually came on 65 minutes as Mousa Dembélé scored with a low drive. The Belgian’s finish was crisp and effectively decided the contest. The best finish of the match, however, arrived courtesy of Aaron Lennon, who deftly chipped home after 69 minutes.

YouTube credit: Iván Isolani

Peter Crouch registered City’s first strike on target in the final five minutes but Hugo Lloris made a comfortable save.

Post-match, Dembélé told the BBC: “It was an important win after the Boxing Day draw against West Brom. Everybody was fighting for each other today.”

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