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Attendance: 31,663
Spurs logo
Premier League
Dec 3, 2016 at 3pm UK
 
Swansea logo

5-0

Kane (40' pen., 50'), Heung-min (45'), Eriksen (70', 92')
FT(HT: 2-0)

Live Commentary: Tottenham Hotspur 5-0 Swansea City - as it happened

Relive Sports Mole's live coverage of Tottenham Hotspur's 5-0 victory over Swansea City in the Premier League.
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Tottenham Hotspur have returned to winning ways in the Premier League with a dominant 5-0 win over Swansea City.

It took Spurs until the 40th minute to break the deadlock in North London but after Harry Kane netted from the spot, they never looked back.

Son Heung-min, Kane and a double from Christian Eriksen completed the scoring for Mauricio Pochettino's team as they closed the gap on the top four in the table.

Read below to see how the action unfolded at White Hart Lane.


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Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the match in the Premier League between Tottenham Hotspur and Swansea City.

Spurs went the longest amount of time without suffering defeat in the Premier League this season but they are still off the pace at the top of the table. A total of six draws from their 13 fixtures means that they only occupy fifth position heading into their clash with Swansea and Mauricio Pochettino will be aware that his team cannot afford to drop too many more points if they want to stay competitive with the clubs above them.

As for Swansea, while they have received criticism both on and off the pitch, Bob Bradley has recorded four points from his last two games and he has given the Welsh outfit something to build on as they make their second visit to North London in under two months. They only went down 3-2 to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium and have registered a point away at Everton two weeks ago so they should not be overawed on their encounter with the Lilywhites.

Before we crack on with the team news, let me point you in the direction of our live coverage of the game between Manchester City and Chelsea. The Blues currently hold a 2-1 advantage but there is still 10 minutes remaining at the Etihad Stadium. Click here to follow the closing stages in the North-West.

Right then, time for the team news. Spurs are able to welcome back a key defender...

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR XI: Lloris; Walker, Dier, Vertonghen, Rose; Dembele, Wanyama; Eriksen, Alli, Son; Kane

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SUBSTITUTES: Vorm, Wimmer, Carter-Vickers, Winks, Sissoko, Onomah, Nkoudou

SWANSEA CITY XI: Fabianski; Taylor, Amat, van der Hoorn, Naughton; Fer, Cork, Fulton; Montero, Sigurdsson, Barrow

SWANSEA CITY SUBSTITUTES: Nordfelt, Rangel, Mawson, Britton, Routledge, Borja, Llorente

I know what you were thinking. You thought Toby Alderweireld was making his comeback, didn't you? Unfortunately, the Belgian misses out yet again, despite returning to training. However, Danny Rose does return after serving a one-match suspension with Kevin Wimmer dropping to the bench. Moussa Sissoko is also among the replacements but Vincent Janssen is absent.

Swansea boss Bradley has made two alterations to the team which started the 5-4 victory over Palace, with Jefferson Montero coming in for Wayne Routledge and Mike van der Hoorn taking the place of Federico Fernandez, who has a broken toe. Fernando Llorente remain on the bench despite scoring two goals in added-on time last weekend.

RESULT! The full-time whistle has gone at Etihad Stadium and Chelsea have ran out 3-1 winners in a thriller. That doesn't tell the whole story, however, with City having two men sent off after the brawl which followed a shocking challenge from Aguero in the closing stages. Read our on-the-whistle report here.

HEAD TO HEAD! Today's fixture represents the 42nd time that these two clubs have met in a competitive fixture with Spurs dominating the rivalry in the past. The North London side have won 25 times in comparison to just the eight victories for Swansea, who have not prevailed since 1991. Spurs have won nine of the last 11 matches between these two clubs.

The most recent match took place at the end of February this year and it appeared for long periods that Swansea would earn a shock win at White Hart Lane. However, two goals in the final quarter of the game resulted in Spurs claiming a 2-1 triumph. Click here to take a look back on that game.

One of the biggest talking points of the week has featured Moussa Sissoko, with Mauricio Pochettino questioning the work ethic of the midfielder in training. As already mentioned, he missed out against Chelsea last weekend but after Pochettino said he had been happy with the player's effort this week, he has returned to the bench. It will be interesting to see how he plays if given an opportunity during the second half.

There were times at Stamford Bridge where Spurs looked all at sea in defence given the absence of Alderweireld and Rose but while Pochettino would have hoped for the return of his star centre-back, Rose should at least restore some balance to the team. Chelsea exploited Wimmer's lack of positional sense out wide and it was what cost Spurs in the second half when Victor Moses scored what proved to be the winning goal. With Rose back in the fold, Pochettino will look for him to not only strengthen the backline, but to also add more to the team going forward and he will effectively operate as a wing-back for much of today's game.

PREDICTION! Swansea will be on a high after their win over Palace but we have to back Spurs to come through this test with flying colours. The goals haven't necessarily flowed this season but with Kane back in the team and Alli fit again after injury, they were surely start to find the back of the net on a more regular basis...surely?

Spurs to win 3-1.


You may be aware that EL Clasico is not being televised this afternoon but don't worry, you can follow the Camp Nou encounter with us! Click here to take a look at our coverage, with kickoff coming in 20 minutes time.

It's time for the two teams to make their way out at White Hart Lane. Like every game in England this afternoon, the players will observe a minute's silence in respect of the people who lost their lives in the plane crash en route to the Copa Sudamericana final on Monday night.

We are underway at White Hart Lane.

Spurs look very sharp in the opening stages but as expected, with Swansea not playing a recognised striker, the home side are finding it difficult to find a way through a congested defence. Still early days, however.

Swansea aren't going to have a lot of possession in this game. I think Bob Bradley accepts that. His side are playing in a structured system that is designed to stifle the home side and then compete for scraps further forward. They did that and earned a free kick on the right flank but Sigurdsson's free kick had too much whip on it.

How has Neil Taylor not been sent off for this? The left-back went in to contest a high ball with Walker but he his boot has connected with Walker's head. Think Hulk Hogan style. It's ridiculously high and Walker is cut above the eye but the referee hasn't even given a yellow out.

Walker is back on after being assessed for possible concussion. Spurs have been back on the attack but Kane was unable to do anything with Son's low cross. To be fair, it was good defending from Swansea.

Spurs are starting to build a head of steam but they are still without a decent shot on goal. Much of their good play is coming down the flanks but Swansea are aware of this and are well stocked in defence to clear when the crosses are sent into the penalty area.

CHANCE! The first real chance of the match goes to Kane, who moves to the near post to meet Walker's cross. However, Fabianski pulls off a decent stop at the near post to tip the striker's header over the crossbar.

BOOKING! Fulton is the first man to go into the book for a clear foul on Alli. That's a booking but Taylor's high boot on Walker received nothing...

Swansea are still to really threaten in this game but they've enjoyed their best few minutes with possession in the middle of the pitch. Barrow is also starting to cause problems with his pace so the home side cannot afford to lose focus.

The groans coming from the Spurs fans will be music to Bradley's ears. Say what you will about the American but he has certainly got his team well-drilled in this match. That said, Wanyama should probably give Spurs the lead when given time and space on the penalty area but his shot is poor and too close to Fabianski.

SHOT! Son is also given the chance to shoot from distance after a neat touch from Kane but he fires a few yards over the crossbar.

Spurs come to life through Alli, who manages to draw a foul out of Amat on the edge of the penalty area. Chance here for Spurs.

SHOT! The angle doesn't really suit a right-footer but Eriksen takes it on and curls straight into the hands of Fabianski. A bit too predictable from the Dane.

PENALTY TO TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR!

GOAL! Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Swansea City (Kane)

Spurs take the lead! However, the spot kick they have been awarded looks pretty soft. Naughton looked to have pulled out of a challenge with Alli but the Spurs midfielder went to ground and after taking several seconds to make his decision, the referee points to the spot, where Kane sent Fabianski the wrong way.

CHANCE! Spurs are starting to push more men forward and Fabianski has to be alert to keep out Alli. Replays of the penalty decision back up my first feelings on it - harsh.

GOAL! Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Swansea City (Son)

Is that game over? It could very well be. Spurs pushed men forward and after the ball fell invitingly to Son, the South Korean winger sent an excellent volley inside the near post, leaving Fabianski with no chance.

HALF TIME: Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Swansea City

The half-time whistle goes at White Hart Lane and Spurs have ended a dominant opening 45 minutes with a two-goal advantage over a Swansea side who must now actually decide to attack. This could be game over but we will at least see Swansea show more attacking intent in the second half.

We are back underway in the second half.

GOAL! Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 Swansea City (Kane)

If it wasn't game over before, it certainly is now! Swansea have started this second half with more focus on attack but it left Spurs more space to exploit and a quick counter-attack ended with Son providing the cross for Kane to finish confidently from inside the penalty area. Spurs are going to return to winning ways this evening.

We had a few technical issues at the break (apologies!) but we should tell you that Fernando Llorente has been introduced in place of Fulton. It's a change that probably won't help the visitors now.

Eriksen has also had an opportunity since the third goal but he lashed a long-range strike well wide of the target. The Dane is of course looking to net in successive games after his stunner against Chelsea last weekend.

I praised Swansea in the build-up to this game and also for how they stifled Spurs at the start of this game but it was an approach that would fail once Spurs went into the lead. Alli was fortunate to win the penalty and one bit of bad luck has resulted in Swansea looking all over the place. Bradley will be keen to minimise the damage.

BOOKING! Amat becomes the third Swansea player to be cautioned after a late challenge on Alli. Another deserved booking for the visitors.

SUBSTITUTION! Bradley makes his second alteration, with Jefferson Montero being replaced by Borja Baston. Credit to Bradley - he is still looking to find a goal.

I doubt it will be long until Spurs start ringing the changes. They have an important fixture in three days as they attempt to qualify for the Europa League. I'd imagine Pochettino wants to rest some of his players before then.

Kane has had the ball in the back of the net but he hasn't scored his hat-trick. He was ruled offside.

GOAL! Tottenham Hotspur 4-0 Swansea City (Eriksen)

Swansea's misery continues as Eriksen nets for a fourth for the home side. Alli's shot was blocked but after the ball went up into the air, Eriksen was able to nod in from inside the six-yard box. He doesn't score many headers so he will cherish that one!

Expect those substitutions to follow. Spurs are moving closer to the top four with a much-needed victory this afternoon.

BOOKING! As Leroy Fer enters the book, on comes Moussa Sissoko to replace Son. He will have 16 minutes to impress his head coach.

It's still all Spurs in this match but they cannot find a fifth. Walker has gone closest but after a rampaging run from the right, his shot towards the near post was well saved by Fabianski, who doesn't really deserve to be on the receiving end of this scoreline.

We've not seen a lot of Sigurdsson on his return to White Hart Lane. Pochettino said in the week that it was a mistake to sell the Icelandic playmaker and his former midfielder will probably wish he was back in North London on a permanent basis.

SUBSTITUTION! We have had another substitution with Dembele being replaced by Harry Winks.

SUBSTITUTION! The final change of the match sees Joshua Onomah replace Harry Kane.

There will be three minutes of added-on time. A bit unnecessary given both teams have slowed down considerably, although Rose has just tried his luck from distance, and failed.

GOAL!Tottenham Hotspur 5-0 Swansea City (Eriksen)

I tempted fate, didn't I...

Eriksen makes it five after latching onto a through-ball and finished clinically past Fabianski.


FULL TIME: Tottenham Hotspur 5-0 Swansea City

The full-time whistle goes at White Hart Lane and Spurs are well and truly back in business in the Premier League after the easiest of 5-0 wins over Swansea, who offered absolutely nothing in the final third. I defended Bradley's record ahead of this game but he will have questions to answer after this humiliating defeat.

That will be all from Sports Mole for this game. Thank you for joining us this afternoon and we hope that you can stick around for the clash involving West Ham United and Arsenal which is coming up in just under 30 minutes time. Goodbye for now.

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Big Jan Vertonghen back in action during the Premier League game between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United on April 10, 2016
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