Tottenham moved back into second place in the Premier League, six points behind leaders Liverpool, after cruising to a 3-0 win at lowly Cardiff City.
Tottenham duo Harry Kane, right, and Dele Alli celebrate a goal. Photo: Photosport
Liverpool face third-placed Manchester City on Friday, and City could move back above Spurs if they avoid defeat at the Etihad Stadium.
Spurs, beaten by Wolves at home last weekend, took just three minutes to get in front in South Wales through the familiar source of captain Harry Kane.
After Kane launched an attack, surging from deep, Kieran Trippier crossed and the England forward had a simple tap-in when the ball ricocheted off Cardiff defender Sean Morrison.
Christian Eriksen then made it 2-0 for Spurs nine minutes later with a clever finish from the edge of the box, although Warnock will be disappointed with the way his defenders backed off and gave the Dane space to wriggle and shoot home.
The game was effectively over in the 26th minute when Son Heung-Min produced a clinical finish with a shot on the turn after being well set-up by Kane. The South Korean has scored 11 goals in his last 12 starts.
Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino praised the way his side seized control of the game early and told Sky Sports he wouldn't pay too much attention to the ladder.
"I don't want to see the table. Of course we are in a good position. We need to be consistent. You must be consistent during the whole season," he said.
Pochettino added that he wouldn't let nervousness over the table prevent him from watching Thursday's clash between City and Liverpool, the league's highest-scoring sides.
"I don't care. Of course I will watch, it will be an unbelievable game and I enjoy football," he said.
For his part Cardiff manager Neil Warnock suggested that the club, who remain in 16th place three points above the relegation zone, may need to go shopping during the January transfer window.
"Hopefully we can get one or two additions which will help," he said.
Meanwhile Arsenal returned to winning ways on Tuesday with a 4-1 victory over struggling Fulham at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners had been shaken by a 5-1 thrashing from leaders Liverpool on Saturday and made a poor start, with Ryan Sessegnon twice missing opportunities to put Fulham ahead.
But the nerves were eased in the 25th minute when Granit Xhaka struck for Arsenal after collecting a chip into the box from Alex Iwobi.
Alexandre Lacazette made it 2-0 in the 55th minute, converting after Sead Kolasinac pulled the ball back from the byline after some excellent team passing.
Aboubakar Kamara pulled one back for Claudio Ranieri's Fulham in the 69th minute, but Aaron Ramsey added a third for Arsenal and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's deflected shot wrapped up the win.
The win was only the second in six games for Arsenal but it moves them within two points of fourth-placed Chelsea, who host Southampton tomorrow.
Earlier Jamie Vardy's 58th-minute strike gave Leicester City a 1-0 win at Everton and condemned the Merseysiders to their fourth defeat in five Premier League games.
- Reuters
