Tottenham moved back into fourth place in the Premier League as they beat a poor Blackburn side whose relegation fears increased with the defeat.

Rafael van der Vaart lashed Spurs ahead with a close-range shot after Gareth Bale's header came back off the bar.

Redknapp

A William Gallas near-post header also struck the crossbar as Spurs dominated.

Kyle Walker curled in an exquisite 25-yard free-kick to secure a home win against second-from-bottom Rovers, who did not muster a single attempt.

After one win in nine, Tottenham knew they needed a victory after Chelsea had overtaken them with a win against QPR and the White Hart Lane outfit duly rose to the challenge as they leapfrogged the Blues and Newcastle to regain fourth spot.

Spurs will now hope they can continue their return to form and finish third, as they know fourth place will not be good enough for a Champions League spot if Chelsea win the final of Europe's top club competition on 19 May.

Analysis

Image of Jonathan Pearce Jonathan Pearce BBC Match of the Day commentator

"Spurs are back to winning ways to give them hope of a Champions League place and they could have had four or five. Blackburn got what they deserved, absolutely nothing. This was a poor performance by them and they will need a huge improvement to stay up."

Blackburn had the incentive of drawing level with relegation rivals Bolton and QPR but, while there was plenty to admire about Spurs, Rovers succumbed in a fashion which left ominous signs that the drop looms.

The visitors have the worst record in the top flight for conceding goals on the road and, after quickly retreating under Tottenham's pressure, they soon surrendered the lead.

A long-range Sandro shot smacked against the crossbar before Bale's header from Aaron Lennon's cross came off the woodwork and Van der Vaart pounced.

It was a Spurs performance which possessed much of what has been behind their success this season, with the movement and vision of Luka Modric and Van der Vaart proving key.

Blackburn still have belief - Kean

The home side's passing was sharp, there was pace and purpose to their play and, most importantly, they finished off their superiority with two goals after a run of scoring six in eight Premier League outings.

The woodwork had rescued Blackburn when a Gallas header hit the crossbar and, although Spurs had to wait until the 75th minute to add a second, it was worth the wait.

Right-back Walker curled a long-range free-kick out of the despairing reach of ex-Spurs keeper Paul Robinson.

Blackburn might have attempted to take the game to Spurs considering their precarious position but they failed to test home keeper Brad Friedel, leaving them three points from safety with games at home to Wigan and away to Chelsea left.

Lineup, Bookings (0) & Substitutions (5)

Tottenham Hotspur

  • 24 Friedel
  • 04 Kaboul
  • 13 Gallas
  • 28 Walker
  • 03 Bale
  • 07 Lennon (Giovani - 84' )
  • 11 Van der Vaart (Defoe - 88' )
  • 14 Modric
  • 25 Rose
  • 30 Sandro (Livermore - 86' )
  • 10 Adebayor

Substitutes

  • 23 Cudicini
  • 26 King
  • 33 Nelsen
  • 29 Livermore
  • 15 Saha
  • 17 Giovani
  • 18 Defoe

Blackburn Rovers

  • 01 Robinson
  • 05 Givet
  • 16 Dann
  • 18 Orr
  • 08 Dunn (Goodwillie - 84' )
  • 10 Formica
  • 12 Pedersen
  • 21 Ms Olsson
  • 35 Lowe
  • 23 Hoilett
  • 24 Yakubu (Modeste - 72' )

Substitutes

  • 34 Kean
  • 03 Mn Olsson
  • 14 Petrovic
  • 15 Nzonzi
  • 09 Modeste
  • 20 Rochina
  • 25 Goodwillie
Ref: Jones
Att: 35,798

Match Stats

Shots

19 0

On target

8 0

Corners

6 1

Fouls

5 14

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +3:20 Full time

Full Time The final whistle goes and the game is over.

90:00 +1:32

Anthony Modeste gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Kyle Walker. Kyle Walker takes the direct free kick.

90:00 +0:50

Jermain Defoe produces a right-footed shot from just outside the area that goes harmlessly over the target.

90:00 +0:13

The ball is delivered by Jermain Defoe, Gael Givet manages to make a clearance.

87:24 Substitution

Substitution Jermain Defoe is brought on as a substitute for Rafael Van der Vaart.

85:23

Rafael Van der Vaart produces a cross, Headed effort on goal by Gareth Bale from inside the penalty box misses to the right of the target.

85:23 Substitution

Substitution (Tottenham) makes a substitution, with Jake Livermore coming on for Raniere Sandro.

85:23

Foul by Anthony Modeste on Danny Rose, free kick awarded.

83:04 Substitution

Substitution David Dunn goes off and David Goodwillie comes on.

83:04 Substitution

Substitution Dos Santos Giovani on for Aaron Lennon.

82:55

The ball is delivered by Kyle Walker, Scott Dann makes a clearance.

78:28

Corner taken by Rafael Van der Vaart.

74:19

Assist on the goal came from Aaron Lennon.

74:19 Goal scored

Goal - Kyle Walker - Tottenham 2 - 0 Blackburn Kyle Walker scores a fantastic goal direct from the free kick from long range to the top right corner of the goal. Tottenham 2-0 Blackburn.

73:35

Free kick awarded for a foul by David Dunn on Aaron Lennon.

71:16 Substitution

Substitution Ayegbeni Yakubu leaves the field to be replaced by Anthony Modeste.

69:37

Gareth Bale takes a shot. Paul Robinson makes a comfortable save.

68:02

Foul by Morten Gamst Pedersen on Kyle Walker, free kick awarded. Free kick crossed left-footed by Rafael Van der Vaart, clearance made by Gael Givet.

67:43

David Dunn challenges Danny Rose unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Danny Rose.

65:20

Free kick awarded for a foul by Mauro Formica on Raniere Sandro. Kyle Walker takes the direct free kick.

65:04

Luka Modric takes a shot. Mauro Formica gets a block in.

64:57

The ball is sent over by Gareth Bale, Scott Dann manages to make a clearance.

64:01

Ayegbeni Yakubu fouled by Younes Kaboul, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Paul Robinson.

63:48

Centre by Gareth Bale, Gael Givet manages to make a clearance.

61:52

The assistant referee signals for offside against David Hoilett. Danny Rose takes the indirect free kick.

60:33

Gareth Bale has an effort at goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the right-hand upright.

60:17

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Brad Friedel by Ayegbeni Yakubu. Brad Friedel takes the free kick.

59:40

Foul by Luka Modric on David Dunn, free kick awarded. Paul Robinson takes the direct free kick.

58:57

Luka Modric has a shot on goal from outside the area which misses left.

57:01

Free kick awarded for a foul by Mauro Formica on Danny Rose. Danny Rose takes the direct free kick.

56:10

Danny Rose sends in a cross, Bradley Orr manages to make a clearance.

55:25

Outswinging corner taken by Rafael Van der Vaart, Scott Dann manages to make a clearance.

55:07

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Raniere Sandro by Mauro Formica. Free kick taken by Raniere Sandro.

54:39

Free kick awarded for a foul by David Hoilett on Younes Kaboul. Brad Friedel takes the free kick.

47:46

Effort from inside the area by Aaron Lennon misses to the right of the goal.

47:03

Effort from long distance by Younes Kaboul goes wide right of the goal.

46:51

Kyle Walker delivers the ball, Scott Dann makes a clearance.

45:01

The second half has started.

45:00 +1:19 Half time

Half Time The half-time whistle blows.

45:00 +0:37

The ball is swung over by Marcus Olsson, Younes Kaboul makes a clearance.

44:10

The assistant referee flags for offside against David Hoilett. Brad Friedel restarts play with the free kick.

43:20

Free kick awarded for a foul by Emmanuel Adebayor on Marcus Olsson. The free kick is delivered left-footed by Morten Gamst Pedersen from left wing, Younes Kaboul manages to make a clearance.

42:20

Rafael Van der Vaart is caught offside. Paul Robinson takes the free kick.

41:31

The ball is swung over by Rafael Van der Vaart, Mauro Formica makes a clearance. Rafael Van der Vaart takes a inswinging corner from the right by-line to the near post, William Gallas takes a shot.

41:12

Aaron Lennon takes a short corner.

40:33

Jason Lowe is penalised for a handball. Free kick crossed left-footed by Rafael Van der Vaart from left channel, Gael Givet makes a clearance.

31:22

The ball is swung over by Kyle Walker, clearance by Bradley Orr. Raniere Sandro takes a shot. Blocked by Mauro Formica.

37:11

Danny Rose takes a shot. Paul Robinson makes a save.

34:34

Free kick awarded for a foul by Bradley Orr on Gareth Bale. Gareth Bale crosses the ball from the free kick left-footed from left wing, clearance by Gael Givet.

31:22

The ball is swung over by Kyle Walker, Bradley Orr makes a clearance. Raniere Sandro takes a shot. Mauro Formica gets a block in.

29:47

Raniere Sandro takes a shot. Gael Givet gets a block in.

27:07

Luka Modric challenges Jason Lowe unfairly and gives away a free kick. Paul Robinson restarts play with the free kick.

25:31

Corner taken left-footed by Rafael Van der Vaart from the left by-line, clearance made by Scott Dann.

24:32

The ball is sent over by Morten Gamst Pedersen, Younes Kaboul makes a clearance.

23:21

Shot from just outside the box by Aaron Lennon goes over the crossbar.

21:27

The assist for the goal came from Gareth Bale.

21:27 Goal scored

Goal - Rafael Van der Vaart - Tottenham 1 - 0 Blackburn Rafael Van der Vaart finds the net with a goal from close range to the bottom left corner of the goal. Tottenham 1-0 Blackburn.

21:23

Gareth Bale takes a shot. Scott Dann gets a block in.

17:56

The ball is delivered by Kyle Walker, clearance by David Dunn.

17:21

Centre by Danny Rose, clearance made by Bradley Orr.

16:48

The ball is swung over by Gareth Bale, Gael Givet makes a clearance.

15:42

The referee gives a free kick against Emmanuel Adebayor for handball. Paul Robinson restarts play with the free kick.

12:31

Corner taken left-footed by Morten Gamst Pedersen, clearance made by Emmanuel Adebayor.

10:54

Free kick awarded for a foul by Kyle Walker on David Hoilett. Direct free kick taken by Paul Robinson.

10:05

Rafael Van der Vaart fouled by Mauro Formica, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Luka Modric.

8:00

Raniere Sandro takes a shot. Rafael Van der Vaart has an effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the left of the target.

7:21

Foul by Ayegbeni Yakubu on Raniere Sandro, free kick awarded. Younes Kaboul takes the free kick.

4:28

A cross is delivered by Gareth Bale, clearance by Scott Dann.

3:28

Aaron Lennon crosses the ball, Scott Dann makes a clearance. Corner taken by Rafael Van der Vaart played to the near post, clearance by Scott Dann.

2:05

Ayegbeni Yakubu challenges Kyle Walker unfairly and gives away a free kick. Kyle Walker restarts play with the free kick.

0:53

Aaron Lennon has an effort at goal from close range which goes wide right of the goal.

0:00

The referee gets the match started.

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