Tottenham back in the top four

Jan Vertonghen claimed the game's only goal with 15 minutes remaining at White Hart Lane, crisply dispatching a free-kick from Kyle Walker to register his first goal in the English top flight.

Tottenham players celebrate after Jan Vertonghen's (right) goal yesterday. PIC/AFP

Walker had come closest to breaking the deadlock in the first half, only for his rasping 25-yard drive to be parried by visiting goalkeeper Gerhard Tremmel.

Tremmel also denied Jermain Defoe in the closing stages, while injury time saw England midfielder Scott Parker make his first Spurs appearance of the season after a spell on the sidelines with an Achilles problem.

Spurs had slipped out of the top four after shipping two late goals in a 2-1 loss at Everton last weekend.u00a0