Adebayor stops the jangling of nerves

Nerves were settled and confidence restored at White Hart Lane as Tottenham pulled themselves out of the nosedive that had threatened their Champions League ambitions and regained the initiative in the battle to finish third.

Twenty-four hours after Arsenal had unexpectedly tripped up at Queens Park Rangers, two goals from Emmanuel Adebayor and one from Rafael van der Vaart secured a first league victory in six games for Harry Redknapp’s side.

Only goal difference separates Tottenham from their third-placed rivals, who face a more daunting run-in, while Redknapp’s team maintained the five-point advantage over Chelsea, who lie fifth. On the evidence of the weekend, the momentum has shifted back in Tottenham’s favour and while the manager insisted he had been unconcerned by a sequence of disappointing results since they last claimed three points on February 11, it was impossible to ignore the sense of relief this victory brought.

Not that this was a routine win. The scoreline may appear relatively convincing but Swansea proved obstinate opponents, once again showcasing the style and approach that has made their first season in the Premier League so memorable.

Spurs boasted the greater firepower with Gareth Bale’s devastating performance on the left and Adebayor’s aerial threat proving too much for Brendan Rodgers’ side to cope with. But the game remained in the balance for long periods and it was testament to Tottenham’s improved showing that they were able to finish the game with the comfort of a two-goal cushion.

Had the visitors been able to capitalise after Gylfi Sigurdsson cancelled out van der Vaart’s opening goal in the 59th minute, it might have been Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger who ended the day in more buoyant mood.

There was little doubt that Arsenal’s earlier slip provided Tottenham with additional motivation. Yet while Swansea arrived with apparently little to play for, the opening minutes confirmed they were intent on playing with the freedom mid-table security can sometimes bring.

The home side created the first of the early chances when Adebayor laid Luka Modric’s low cross into the path of van der Vaart, who was unfortunate to see his seventh-minute effort deflected wide. Three minutes later Adebayor was guilty of an even more wasteful miss when he met Bale’s cross at the near post and managed to fire wide.

In between those efforts, however, Swansea served notice of their own threat with Wayne Routledge also narrowly missing the target following an uncharacteristically careless pass by Scott Parker.

Swansea’s willingness to pass their way from one area of the pitch to another has drawn much praise this season and it was the Welsh side who caught the eye as they repeatedly extended their opponents. Spurs though, have built their success on their own brand of incisive forward play and they took full advantage when a visiting attack faltered, breaking ruthlessly to claim a 19th-minute lead.

Inevitably, Parker was involved, pouncing on a loose ball and finding Modric who produced an outstanding pass to release Bale down the left. Bale’s cross was diverted away from Adebayor by Ashley Williams but the centre-back’s clearance fell to van der Vaart, who cooly finished left-footed from 20 yards.

Swansea’s approach didn’t falter but it was clear they were vulnerable to Bale’s pace and skill, with the Wales international giving City left-back Angel Rangel a torrid time. Tottenham though, failed to build on their growing superiority in the remainder of the half, with Bale himself guilty of sending two good shooting opportunities over the bar.

The game remained in the balance and Sigurdsson’s left-footed shot four minutes after the break served as a reminder of Swansea’s threat. On that occasion the on-loan Hoffenheim midfielder was denied by an outstanding, acrobatic save by Brad Freidel, but it was the Icelander who had the better of the pair’s next duel when his shot bounced into the ground and over the Spurs keeper.

The balance of the game had swung back in the direction of the visitors it seemed, but the equaliser stirred Tottenham back into life and with Bale revived, they again took control. Adebayor’s height proved decisive when the striker rose to head home from van der Vaart’s 73rd-minute corner.

The Togo international repeated the feat 13 minutes later from Aaron Lennon’s cross as Spurs signalled they are still hot in the hunt for third place.