Tottenham Hotspur welcomed Hull City to White Hart Lane on Sunday as they looked to return to the top four in the Premier League.
The visitors proved to be tough opposition for Spurs, who were frustrated for long periods of the match.
However, the hosts were awarded a penalty when Ahmed Elmohamady was adjudged to have handled inside the box and Roberto Soldado took advantage from 12 yards to secure a 1-0 win for his side.
Read below to find out how Spurs closed the gap on the teams above them on Sunday afternoon.
Good afternoon everyone. Tottenham Hotspur host Hull City today as they look to stay close to the teams above them in the Premier League. The visitors to White Hart Lane have surprised many this season, can they produce a shock result today?
A victory for Spurs today could see them move up to third in the Premier League table and they would only be three points behind leaders Arsenal. If Hull come out on top, they will be level on points with Manchester United.
There is certainly a lot to play for this afternoon and we could be in for a very interesting contest. Team news is on the way.
SPURS: Lloris, Walker, Chiriches, Dawson, Vertonghen, Paulinho, Sandro, Townsend, Holtby, Lennon, Soldado
SUBSTITUTES: Lamela, Naughton, Defoe, Dembele, Sigurdsson, Eriksen, Friedel
Just one change to the Tottenham side that beat Aston Villa last weekend as Aaron Lennon replaces Gylfi Sigurdsson, who drops to the bench.
HULL: Harper, Rosenior, Figueroa, Bruce, Davies, McShane, Elmohamady, Huddlestone, Meyler, Boyd, Sagbo
SUBSTITUTES: Jakupovic, Quinn, Brady, Koren, Gedo, Proschwitz, Mclean
Steve Harper starts in goal for the first time in the league for Hull as Allan McGregor misses out. Danny Graham and Sone Aluko are also injured but Robbie Brady has been named on the bench after recovering from a hernia.
Tom Huddlestone knows his way around White Hart Lane. The midfielder plays against his old club for the first time today but Jake Livermore is ineligible to compete against his parent club due to the terms of his loan move.
I'm not sure if many people would have expected Hull to be sitting in the top half of the table after eight games but Steve Bruce's side are proving to be a difficult side to play against.
Hull's troubles have mostly come on the road. They've lost three out of their four games when playing away from the KC Stadium but those defeats have come against Chelsea, Manchester City and Everton.
Tottenham's most recent home game in the league ended in disaster as they lost 3-0 to West Ham United, who produced one of the performances of the season so far to collect all three points. Andre Villas-Boas will expect much more from his side today.
The motivation for the hosts today will surely be the prospect of moving up to third in the table. That will happen if Spurs record a victory and the game between Chelsea and Manchester City ends in a draw.
These two sides meet each other twice at White Hart Lane this week. Hull will also travel to London on Wednesday to play Spurs in the fifth round of the Capital One Cup.
It's so tight at the top of the table this season that Spurs cannot afford to drop points at home when they are firm favourites, as they are today. Hull will be very difficult to beat but Tottenham are expected to win matches like these.
I imagine that few eyebrows might be raised about the decision from Villas-Boas to leave Christian Eriksen on the bench once again. Lewis Holtby, who has impressed when given the chance this season, will more than likely play behind Roberto Soldado. Decisions like that prove just how much quality Spurs have in their squad this year.
Hull will certainly miss both Graham and Aluko today as the visitors have struggled for goals this season but Yannick Sagbo can cause problems for the hosts today.
Spurs have kept five clean sheets this season, which gives you an idea of how difficult it will be for a low-scoring Hull side today. Only Southampton have prevented the opposition from scoring as many times as this afternoon's hosts.
Could the conditions play a part today? It's a very windy day in London and the beginning of tonight's predicted storm could make life difficult this afternoon.
Hull fans will be desperate to go level on points with Man United later this evening. It will take a big performance but they will have studied West Ham's performance when they won 3-0 here and Bruce will adopt a specific game plan.
PREDICTION: There's just over 10 minutes left until kick off, so it's time to have a guess at what the outcome will be this afternoon. Spurs will be desperate to stay close to their closest rivals and I think they'll win 3-0 today.
The players have just headed back inside following their warm-ups and kick-off is on its way at White Hart Lane. There will certainly be plenty of Spurs supporters expecting a response following that home defeat to the Hammers earlier this month.
Huddlestone's performance could be key today. Hull are missing a number of key players but the midfielder's experience and passing range in midfield will be vital.
Both teams are greeted to warm reception as they make their way out of the tunnel. We're just a few moments away from the action now.
Everything is in place. It will be Spurs who get the match underway.
Spurs settle pretty quickly and are passing the ball around nicely. Sandro is urged forward when he's offered space in midfield but Hull keep the Brazilian at bay.
The volume increases when Townsend gets the ball on the right and begins to sprint down the ring but Figueroa gets in the way of the England international.
Spurs are dominating possession early on. There's almost an opening when the ball drops to Lennon but his volley is easily blocked by Davies.
The hosts are doing a superb job of regaining possession quickly when they do lose the ball in attack, with Sandro and Paulinho standing out already. Hull will be worried by the early signs as they drop deeper once again.
Hull almost create the first opportunity when Huddlestone delivers a dangerous free kick but McShane couldn't make clean contact with his header inside the box.
Holtby is dropping deeper to collect the ball, which is encouraging Paulinho to make some early runs. Spurs still looking good in possession but no chances yet.
Spurs lose the ball in an advanced position and Hull threaten to launch a counter attack until Sandro slides across to tackle Boyd.
Chiriches is in confident mood as he moves out of defence and takes on a couple of Hull players. The visitors are defending very deep but Spurs have struggled to unlock their back line early on.
CHANCE! McShane's over eagerness gifts Tottenham a free kick when the defender fouls Holtby. The German delivers an inviting cross but Paulinho volleys the ball over the crossbar on the turn.
Vertonghen is the next defender to go on a solo run but his passage is blocked by Huddlestone, who puts in a strong challenge to dispossess the Belgian in midfield.
SAVE! Spurs break quickly in numbers and the ball falls to Townsend, who targets the bottom corner from 25 yards out. However, Harper reacts well to push the ball to safety.
YELLOW CARD! Boyd does superbly to go past Sandro, who is then booked for hauling his opponent down as Hull looked to counter.
SHOT! Hull knock the ball around confidently before Boyd drills a low strike straight at Lloris from outside the box.
SAVE! Hull's good spell continues as Sagbo forces Lloris into a good save when he fires the ball at goal from a tight angle inside the box.
There's been a few signs in recent minutes that Spurs are starting to get frustrated as the home side's defence are forced to make a couple of crucial blocks from Boyd and Sagbo.
Much better from Spurs as they break with good pace and Soldado wins a corner when his cross is deflected behind by Huddlestone. Davies clears the first cross under big pressure and Hull do well to keep out the hosts.
Hull have kept the ball well following Tottenham's early period of domination. Huddlestone is pulling the strings in midfield as the visitors win their first corner.
Huddlestone drills in a low corner to Sagbo, who miscues his shot while in plenty of space inside the box.
Holtby is offered little support as he takes the ball over the halfway line and his weak effort is greeted by groans from a disappointed White Hart Lane crowd.
It's the corner of the ground containing the Hull supporters which is making the most noise at the moment. Spurs are lacking ideas at the moment and the home defence has looked a bit nervous.
Paulinho drills a pass to Soldado, who turns McShane on the edge of the box. However, it's Davies who once again steps in to clear the danger.
Excellent move from the home side. Soldado links well with Townsend and Paulinho but the Spaniard is denied a goalscoring opportunity by an impressive block from Bruce.
CLOSE! Huddlestone is inches away from finally being allowed to chop his hair off. A corner drops to the midfielder on the edge of the box and his volley skims the top of the crossbar.
Townsend shows great skill to lose his marker but his initial cross is cleared. The winger receives the ball again on the edge of the box and his effort needs to be blocked by a Hull shirt.
Brilliant spell of pressure from the home side. Hull defend desperately to keep out a couple of intricate passing moves, with Paulinho being tackled inside the six yard box before Lennon is punished for straying off side.
Hull are struggling to keep hold of the ball now as Tottenham once again step up the tempo in midfield. The home crowd can be heard now.
Superb in midfield from Meyler, who puts in a great sliding tackle to stop Lennon from launching a counter attack.
SAVE! Chiriches beats a couple of defenders when he ventures forward again and he wins a free kick on the edge of the box when Davies commits a foul. Walker rifles the free kick at goal but Harper makes a solid save. Rosenior is also booked for his complaints about the decision.
There's a brief stoppage as Sagbo receives some treatment after clashing heads with Dawson. Thankfully for Hull, the injury won't force him off.
Harper is almost embarrassed when his clearance hits Soldado but Holtby is then adjudged to have fouled McShane inside the box as he looked to retrieve the ball.
Tottenham give the ball away twice in the space of a minute and they're put under even more pressure when Paulinho fouls Meyler. Huddlestone's free kick is well directed but the hosts stay strong to clear the danger.
Lennon switches ends to collect the ball on the right and he wins a corner for his side. Two minutes of added time will be played.
Hull clear the corner, but only to Sandro and the midfielder keeps the pressure on when he picks out Townsend. Soldado wins the header from the winger's cross but he can't flick the ball towards goal.
CLOSE! Hull are almost gifted a goal just before the break. Sandro fails to make a routine clearance and the ball falls to Boyd, who can't get enough power on his effort to beat Lloris.
HALF-TIME: SPURS 0-0 HULL
Many people were expecting Spurs to completely dominate the visitors but the first half has told a different story. Hull enjoyed spells when they were the better side and they could have been ahead on a different day.
Hull were defending very deep in the early stages but they've shown good intent when they have had the ball in midfield. They will continue to cause problems if Sagbo is given some more support.
Spurs have at times looked at their free flowing best but for long periods some of their play was poor. Sandro certainly isn't having his best afternoon in midfield and the home side have found it difficult to create opportunities for Soldado.
Villas-Boas can look to change things if he thinks Spurs need to try some different early on the second half. Eriksen, Defoe, Lamela or Dembele could all be the first option should the hosts continue to struggle to create chances.
Nothing but three points would be acceptable for Tottenham supporters but I wouldn't rule out a victory for the visitors. Hull are playing excellently so far and Bruce's men will not be easy to break down.
SUBSTITUTION Both sides have returned to the pitch for the second half. Villas-Boas has made a change, with Dembele coming on to replace Sandro. Hull will get the game back underway.
Walker loses the ball just inside his own half and Hull work the ball out wide to Rosenior, whose inviting delivery evades all of his teammates.
Townsend has switched sides with Lennon and it's the former who threatens to begin an attack with his pace but his pass towards Soldado is poor.
Soldado's frustrating day is continuing early in this second half. The forward is struggling to retain possession in advanced areas as Hull's defenders dominate again.
Good defensive work from Huddlestone as he steals the ball from Paulinho before holding off pressure from Townsend deep inside his side's half of the pitch.
Soldado does well to tackle Huddlestone on the edge of the box but he's crowded out by a number of Hull defenders when he looks to get a shot away.
Spurs are dominating possession again but most of their play is coming in areas which will not worry the visitors. Townsend then wins a free kick with a clever piece of skill.
Walker optimistically goes for goal from 30 yards but his effort is easily saved by Harper.
SAVE! Soldado exchanges passes with Townsend before advancing into the box. The Spaniard looks to slot the ball into the bottom corner but Harper reacts superbly to keep the shot out. That's the closest the home side have come to scoring.
Worrying signs for Hull as Davies goes down complaining about a problem in his knee. The defender receives some treatment and he will attempt to continue.
McShane takes a big risk when he puts his hands on Soldado inside the box but Michael Oliver decides that the striker goes down too easily for an optimistic penalty appeal to be considered.
YELLOW CARD! Poor from Chiriches, who loses the ball to Sagbo in a very dangerous position. The defender then commits a foul and he goes into the referee's book. However, Spurs manage to clear the danger from the free kick.
SUBSTITUTION: Holtby's afternoon comes to an end as Eriksen comes on with half an hour left.
Eriksen is immediately involved in attack as he trades passes with Townsend, who then wins a free kick from Rosenior. It's the Dane who takes the set piece, which Huddlestone clears away.
Hull are struggling to retain possession when they do manage to stop Tottenham's attacks and that is inviting even more pressure. The hosts must take advantage during this spell of pressure.
Meyler is the latest Hull player to require some treatment when he takes a knock on his knee in midfield.
Soldado is furious with McShane when he goes down holding his face. The replays suggest that the contact wasn't intentional and the referee calms things down.
SHOT! Lennon's pressure provides an opportunity for Townsend, who fires wide of the target from 25 yards.
Spurs are dominating possession all over the pitch but they just cannot break down this stubborn visiting defence. Frustrating times for the home supporters.
SUBSTITUTION: Spurs make their final change as Defoe comes on to replace Lennon.
Poor from the officials as Michael Oliver pulls back play for a Spurs free kick despite Townsed sprinting clear down the right wing. Boyd receives a booking in the process.
Hull clear the free kick but Eriksen receives the ball once again. The former Ajax ace whips in a superb cross but none of his teammates can make contact with the ball inside the box.
A period of extended pressure from Tottenham comes to a disappointing end as Paulinho unleashes a wild effort which travels well wide of the target.
Davies is once again standing out for this Hull side as he makes another superb clearance under big pressure from a Townsend cross. He's been fantastic today.
Hull are gifted a breather when Dawson is punished for a foul inside the box as Eriksen looked to ask some more questions with a good delivery from a corner.
YELLOW CARD! Meyler is the next player to go into the book as he attempts to waste some time.
PENALTY! Spurs work the ball to Vertonghen, whose cross strikes Elmohamady's leg before hitting the hand. Slightly harsh decision but Soldado will have the opportunity to score from 12 yards.
GOAL! SPURS 1-0 HULL (SOLDADO)
Soldado sends Harper the wrong way to gives Spurs the lead. You can hear the relief from the home supporters. It's harsh on Hull, who might complain about that decision.
Spurs break forward at pace as they look to make sure of the victory but Townsend's cross is poor and a promising move comes to an end.
There's some worrying scenes for Spurs when Townsend takes a tumble over the advertising hoardings. A stretcher has been requested but the problem is unclear.
SUBSTITUTIONS: Aaron McLeand and Robbie Brady replace Boyd and Rosenior.
it appears that Townsend and a photographer were both injured when the Spurs winger fell in the corner of the pitch. There's a lot of concern.
SUBSTITUTION: The exhausted Sagbo comes off to be replaced by Nick Proschwitz. Spurs, having made all three substitutions, are down to 10 men.
There's some good news as Townsend gets back on his feet with his wrist strapped. The news gets even better when the winger returns to the pitch. Amazing.
SAVE! Eriksen gives away a free kick in a promising position but Lloris makes a good save from Brady's curled effort. The referee reveals that there will be five minutes stoppage time.
YELLOW CARD! Paulinho received a booking for kicking the ball away shortly before Brady's effort on goal.
Hull are being forced to adopt a more direct approach as they desperately seek a point in the closing stages. Tottenham's defence winning everything in stoppage time.
Townsend earns himself some space when he cuts in from the right but his wild shot sails into the stands behind the goal.
One more chance for Hull in stoppage time when Dawson commits a foul on the edge of the box on Davies.
CLOSE! Huddlestone unleashes a powerful effort from the free kick but the ball slices just wide of the target.
FULL-TIME: SPURS 1-0 HULL
Spurs manage to secure all three points on a nervy afternoon at White Hart Lane. Hull produced a brave performance and on a different day they probably would have claimed something from the game.
The home side were certainly not at their best today but Soldado's calm head from 12 yards was the important factor today. Hull might well feel aggrieved by the decision though. Find out what Bruce thought of the penalty as Sports Mole brings you all of the reaction from the Premier League.
Spurs have climbed to fourth in the table and are now just three points behind leaders Arsenal. Hull drop to 10th due to the loss.
I hope you enjoyed the coverage this afternoon and I'd like to thank you for joining me. Goodbye.
Written by
Callum Mulvihill
Callum Mulvihill
