Result: Wigan Athletic 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur

Rafael van der Vaart made a goalscoring return to Tottenham Hotspur's starting lineup away at Wigan Athletic this afternoon.

The Dutch international, who was called into the team in place of ill Jermain Defoe, broke the deadlock in the third minute when he curled the ball into the top left hand corner of the net.

Spurs' advantage was doubled in the 22nd minute courtesy of Gareth Bale. The Welsh international reacted quickest to Luka Modric's cross and headed past Ali Al-Habsi in the home goal.

Mohamed Diame reduced the arrears four minutes after the restart, turning in a cross from Ronnie Stam.

Wigan's chances of claiming an equaliser were not helped by the sending off of full-back Steve Gohouri for two bookable offences late in the game.

Spurs face Arsenal in a derby match next Sunday afternoon at White Hart Lane, while Wigan travel to Aston Villa on Saturday.