Jan Vertonghen's first Premier League goal secured all three points for Tottenham Hotspur from their home encounter with Swansea City at White Hart Lane this afternoon.
Hosting Spurs created more chances during the opening 45 minutes, but they were largely frustrated by the Swansea rearguard.
First Jermain Defoe saw his low shot blocked by Michu in the 15th minute, while just one minute later Emmanuel Adebayor's goalbound effort was thwarted by a sliding Chico Flores.
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In a rare venture forward the away side almost broke the deadlock with 33 minutes played. Dwight Tiendalli sent over a cross from the right for Wayne Routledge, but the former Spurs winger was unable to convert with a diving header.
Meanwhile, up the other end Gerhard Tremmel was forced to save a swerving effort from Tottenham full-back Kyle Walker from 25 yards out with his shoulder.
The final action of the half saw Michu attempt to score from just inside the Spurs half, but his audacious effort landed on the roof of Hugo Lloris's net.
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Swansea had an opportunity to take the lead five minutes after the restart, but Nathan Dyer was unable to make a clean connection with Routledge's cross and the ball skidded away to safety.
Just as they did in the first half, Spurs then began to take control of the encounter. However, when both Defoe and Walker fired wide when well-placed, it looked as though Andre Villas-Boas's side were going to have to settle for a draw.
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The Swansea resistance was eventually broken 16 minutes from time though courtesy of Vertonghen. Ben Davies only succeeded in flicking Walker's free kick into the path of the Belgian defender, who in turn sent a half-volley past Tremmel from 12 yards out.
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Defoe had a chance to seal the victory with three minutes remaining, but his rising strike was parried by Tremmel.
His failure to convert was not punished though as Spurs battled against some pressure from Swansea in stoppage time to claim the victory.
Liam Apicella
