Tottenham Hotspur failed to turn their domination into goals during the opening 45 minutes of their encounter with Swansea City at White Hart Lane this afternoon.

Hosting Tottenham created their first clearcut chance of the match with 15 minutes on the clock. Jermain Defoe robbed Swansea attacker Michu of possession just outside the Swansea box, but just as Defoe shot goalwards, the Spaniard retreated to block his low effort.

Then just one minute later Defoe's strike partner Emmanuel Adebayor saw his effort from inside the area thwarted by a sliding Chico Flores.

It took visiting Swansea 33 minutes to work an opening, but when they did, they almost went in front. Full-back Dwight Tiendalli got down the right and crossed for Wayne Routledge, who was an inch away from heading his side into the lead.

As the half drew to a close Kyle Walker sent in a powerful effort from 25 yards out that swerved in the air, forcing Gerhard Tremmel in the Swansea goal to save with his shoulder.

The final opportunity was presented to Swansea's Michu, who found the roof of the net from just inside the Tottenham half after he had latched onto a loose pass from Sandro.

Victory for Spurs would move them up to fourth.