Tottenham Hotspur have kept the pressure on those above them in the Premier League table with a 3-0 win over Stoke City.
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Spurs saw a lot of the ball in the opening minutes of the match, but were unable to test Stoke goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen until the 17th minute when Emmanuel Adebayor had a shot, before Roberto Soldado sent his effort straight at the keeper.
Oussama Assaidi carved his way into the Spurs box just after the half-hour mark in a rare first-half attacking move for the visitors, but Michael Dawson made sure that he did not get to shoot.
The home side were presented with the chance to break the deadlock when Ryan Shawcross handled the ball towards the end of the first half, giving Tottenham a penalty.
Soldado stepped up to take the spot kick and slotted it into the bottom corner, ensuring that Tim Sherwood's side led at the break.
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The hosts continued to create the majority of the chances early in the second half, with Aaron Lennon looking to set up Soldado for his second of the game, but Sorensen was able to make another save.
Stoke's resilient defending eventually cracked as Moussa Dembele got the better of several players on the edge of the box before drilling the ball in to double Spurs' advantage.
Lennon sealed the points for the home side three minutes later, salvaging a mistake from Adebayor to thump the ball into the roof of the net.
Jermaine Pennant tried to play Peter Crouch in for a late consolation goal for the Potters, but the striker headed his effort well over.
Sian Cowper
