Tottenham won back-to-back league games for the first time since January as they reinvigorated their Champions League hopes by beating Bolton.

On the day Fabrice Muamba made his first public appearance since he suffered a cardiac arrest when these two teams met in the FA Cup in March, Spurs produced a ruthless display of finishing to keep them fourth in the Premier League.

Luka Modric gave the visitors the lead with a clinical strike following a corner, despite Sandro appearing to handle the ball before the set-piece was awarded.

Emotional Muamba returns to the Reebok

And although Nigel Reo-Coker's equaliser roused the home supporters after the break, three goals in the space of nine minutes put the game beyond Bolton, who remain in the relegation zone.

Rafael van der Vaart and Emmanuel Adebayor both scored on the counter-attack, with the Togolese earning Harry Redknapp's side their first away win in nine league games.

The upturn in Spurs' fortunes has coincided with Redknapp's links with the England job coming to an end and he will be delighted that the season still has hope after a demoralising period.

But, for his Bolton counterpart Owen Coyle, any thoughts of easing his team's relegation worries disappeared once Tottenham punctured an early second-half revival.

The Trotters remain in the bottom three despite being level on points with QPR and will have to regroup for a vital game with West Bromwich Albion on Sunday.

Redknapp rules out future England role

Coyle had asked the supporters to raise the roof in the build-up to this fixture and it felt like they almost had, such was the incredible reception towards Muamba before kick-off.

Both Bolton and Spurs fans cheered as he greeted the crowd following his miraculous recovery from a cardiac arrest during the FA Cup tie between these two teams on 17 March.

But his presence could not inspire the hosts in the first period, as Tottenham took control of the midfield, with Modric the hub of their inspiration and creativity.

Bolton were far less fluid, although both David Ngog and Dedryck Boyata were close to scoring at the back post, but when Spurs took the lead it was a strike to savour.

Van der Vaart clipped a corner to Modric 25 yards out and the Croat smacked it into the top corner, leaving keeper Adam Bogdan with no chance.

Did you know?

The last time Tottenham scored four or more goals in an away Premier League game was against Hull City in a 5-1 win in August 2009

Bolton had reason to feel aggrieved, however, as it appeared that Sandro handled the ball in the build-up to the set-piece.

For the home side this was a game in hand on their relegation rivals and they finally took advantage of that opportunity after the break when, from a throw-in, Reo-Coker tucked in Ngog's clever flick.

The Reebok erupted and as Bolton took a hold of the game for the first time, Chris Eagles almost gave them a lead.

But two goals in two minutes burst that optimism. Tottenham countered down the left and Van der Vaart met Bale's cross, before a delicious Modric pass picked out Lennon, who surged down the right to square for Adebayor.

The forward then rounded Bogdan after Bale's cute pass and, although Martin Petrov tested Brad Friedel from a tight angle, Bolton were smarting.

Coyle's team have two games against West Brom and Stoke to try to lift their spirits and remain in the Premier League, while Spurs have arrested a slump in form at a vital moment to stay ahead of Newcastle and Chelsea.

Bolton manager Owen Coyle:

Loss was self-inflicted - Coyle

"We got more than back in game, we were in the ascendancy and looked like we could go on and win the game. But we lost soft goals, it was self-inflicted and that's the disappointing thing.

"It was a wonder goal from Modric but before the corner it should have been a hand ball. Sandro punched it but the referee did not see it.

"We came roaring back but we were guilty of poor defending. That's when you need to stand up and be counted and weren't.

"We need to dust ourselves down and go and get three points against West Brom on Sunday."

Lineup, Bookings (3) & Substitutions (6)

Bolton Wanderers

  • 01 Bogdan
  • 18 Ricketts
  • 25 Boyata
  • 31 Wheater
  • 32 Ream
  • 07 Eagles Booked (Miyaichi - 83' )
  • 10 Petrov
  • 16 M Davies
  • 19 Reo-Coker (Vela - 65' Booked )
  • 14 K Davies
  • 24 Ngog (Klasnic - 65' )

Substitutes

  • 22 Jaaskelainen
  • 03 Alonso
  • 12 Knight
  • 37 Vela
  • 17 Klasnic
  • 29 Sordell
  • 30 Miyaichi

Tottenham Hotspur

  • 24 Friedel
  • 04 Kaboul
  • 13 Gallas (Nelsen - 87' )
  • 28 Walker Booked
  • 03 Bale
  • 07 Lennon (Saha - 84' )
  • 11 Van der Vaart (Livermore - 79' )
  • 14 Modric
  • 25 Rose
  • 30 Sandro
  • 10 Adebayor

Substitutes

  • 23 Cudicini
  • 26 King
  • 33 Nelsen
  • 29 Livermore
  • 15 Saha
  • 17 Giovani
  • 18 Defoe
Ref: Dean
Att: 22,349

Match Stats

Shots

14 14

On target

8 11

Corners

4 7

Fouls

6 9

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +2:23

Gareth Bale sends in a cross, clearance by Samuel Ricketts. Luka Modric takes a short corner. Kyle Walker takes a shot. Blocked by David Wheater.

90:00 +3:49 Full time

Full Time The referee signals the end of the game.

90:00 +2:23

A cross is delivered by Gareth Bale, clearance by Samuel Ricketts. Luka Modric decides to take a short corner. Kyle Walker produces a right-footed shot from just outside the box that goes wide right of the goal.

88:24

The referee blows for offside against Danny Rose. Adam Bogdan takes the free kick.

86:11

Luka Modric takes a inswinging corner to the near post, clearance made by Joshua Vela.

86:11 Substitution

Substitution Ryan Nelsen on for William Gallas.

86:11

Gareth Bale takes a shot. Blocked by David Wheater.

84:09

Shot on goal by Emmanuel Adebayor from inside the box goes harmlessly over the target.

82:45

Samuel Ricketts restarts play with the free kick.

82:45 Substitution

Substitution Louis Saha on for Aaron Lennon.

82:45 Substitution

Substitution Ryo Miyaichi joins the action as a substitute, replacing Chris Eagles.

82:45

The referee blows for offside against Emmanuel Adebayor.

78:46 Substitution

Substitution Jake Livermore comes on in place of Rafael Van der Vaart.

77:19

Foul by Joshua Vela on Emmanuel Adebayor, free kick awarded. Emmanuel Adebayor takes the direct free kick.

76:12

Effort from the edge of the area by Ivan Klasnic goes wide of the left-hand upright.

73:47

The ball is delivered by Martin Petrov.

72:47

Brad Friedel takes the indirect free kick.

72:47 Booking

Booking Chris Eagles is cautioned.

72:24

Martin Petrov takes a shot. Save by Brad Friedel. Chris Eagles concedes a free kick for a foul on Raniere Sandro.

71:13

The official flags Emmanuel Adebayor offside. Samuel Ricketts restarts play with the free kick.

70:03

Kyle Walker takes the free kick.

70:03 Booking

Booking Joshua Vela receives a yellow card.

69:53

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Aaron Lennon by Joshua Vela.

68:43

Assist on the goal came from Gareth Bale.

68:43 Goal scored

Goal - Emmanuel Adebayor - Bolton 1 - 4 Tottenham Emmanuel Adebayor grabs a goal from inside the six-yard box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Bolton 1-4 Tottenham.

67:27

Kevin Davies is caught offside. Brad Friedel takes the indirect free kick.

65:06

Chris Eagles has an effort at goal from close in which goes wide left of the goal.

64:06 Substitution

Substitution Ivan Klasnic joins the action as a substitute, replacing David Ngog.

64:06 Substitution

Substitution Joshua Vela comes on in place of Nigel Reo-Coker.

62:49

David Ngog takes a shot. Save made by Brad Friedel.

61:03

The assist for the goal came from Aaron Lennon.

61:03 Goal scored

Goal - Emmanuel Adebayor - Bolton 1 - 3 Tottenham Emmanuel Adebayor finds the back of the net with a goal from close in to the bottom left corner of the goal. Bolton 1-3 Tottenham.

59:42

Gareth Bale provided the assist for the goal.

59:42 Goal scored

Goal - Rafael Van der Vaart - Bolton 1 - 2 Tottenham Rafael Van der Vaart scores a goal from close in to the bottom right corner of the goal. Bolton 1-2 Tottenham.

58:57

Chris Eagles produces a right-footed shot from the edge of the area and misses to the left of the goal.

57:25

Martin Petrov takes the outswinging corner, Kevin Davies takes a shot. Kyle Walker gets a block in. Corner from the left by-line taken by Martin Petrov, Kevin Davies takes a shot. William Gallas gets a block in. Martin Petrov takes a inswinging corner.

56:11

Unfair challenge on Martin Petrov by Kyle Walker results in a free kick. Free kick crossed right-footed by Samuel Ricketts, clearance by William Gallas.

55:35

Martin Petrov produces a right-footed shot from the edge of the box and misses to the right of the goal.

54:49

Corner taken by Martin Petrov from the right by-line, Younes Kaboul manages to make a clearance.

52:21

Samuel Ricketts takes the free kick.

52:21 Booking

Booking Kyle Walker receives a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.

52:17

Kyle Walker concedes a free kick for a foul on Martin Petrov.

50:15

The assist for the goal came from David Ngog.

50:15

Assist on the goal came from David Ngog.

50:15 Goal scored

Goal - Nigel Reo-Coker - Bolton 1 - 1 Tottenham Nigel Reo-Coker finds the back of the net with a goal from inside the area to the bottom left corner of the goal. Bolton 1-1 Tottenham.

45:53

Aaron Lennon challenges Samuel Ricketts unfairly and gives away a free kick. Martin Petrov crosses the ball, David Ngog takes a shot. Save by Brad Friedel.

45:01

The referee blows his whistle to start the second half.

45:00 +1:59 Half time

Half Time The half-time whistle blows.

45:00 +1:07

Raniere Sandro gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Mark Davies. Tim Ream produces a cross, Effort on goal by Dedryck Boyata from inside the area goes harmlessly over the bar.

45:00 +0:07

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Nigel Reo-Coker by Raniere Sandro. Samuel Ricketts restarts play with the free kick.

44:21

Shot from just outside the area by Chris Eagles misses to the right of the target.

42:16

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on David Ngog by Younes Kaboul. Free kick crossed right-footed by Nigel Reo-Coker.

39:58

Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Rafael Van der Vaart from the right by-line, Header by Raniere Sandro from deep inside the penalty area misses to the left of the goal.

39:21

Corner taken left-footed by Rafael Van der Vaart to the near post, Samuel Ricketts manages to make a clearance.

38:39

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Raniere Sandro by David Ngog. Free kick taken by Kyle Walker.

38:39

Raniere Sandro fouled by David Ngog, the ref awards a free kick. Indirect free kick taken by William Gallas.

34:42

David Ngog takes a shot. Blocked by Brad Friedel.

36:06

Rafael Van der Vaart provided the assist for the goal.

36:06 Goal scored

Goal - Luka Modric - Bolton 0 - 1 Tottenham Luka Modric grabs a goal from long distance to the top right corner of the goal. Bolton 0-1 Tottenham.

35:25

Rafael Van der Vaart takes a shot. Save made by Adam Bogdan. Corner taken right-footed by Rafael Van der Vaart.

34:42

Younes Kaboul takes a shot. Blocked by Adam Bogdan.

32:14

The ball is swung over by Dedryck Boyata, save by Brad Friedel.

31:00

Mark Davies concedes a free kick for a foul on Raniere Sandro. Rafael Van der Vaart crosses the ball from the free kick right-footed from right channel, David Wheater makes a clearance.

29:21

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Luka Modric by Mark Davies. Strike on goal comes in from Rafael Van der Vaart from the free kick.

21:28

The referee blows for offside. William Gallas takes the free kick.

18:19

Free kick awarded for a foul by Emmanuel Adebayor on Tim Ream. Samuel Ricketts takes the free kick.

16:43

Aaron Lennon takes a shot. Blocked by Chris Eagles. Corner taken by Rafael Van der Vaart from the left by-line.

14:01

Chris Eagles fouled by Raniere Sandro, the ref awards a free kick. Martin Petrov crosses the ball in from the free kick, save by Brad Friedel.

11:12

Gareth Bale takes a shot. Save by Adam Bogdan. Rafael Van der Vaart takes a shot. Blocked by Adam Bogdan.

5:57

William Gallas gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on David Ngog. Chris Eagles has an effort direct from the free kick, blocked by William Gallas.

1:22

Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Rafael Van der Vaart from the right by-line to the near post.

0:00

The referee gets the game started.

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