Tottenham Hotspur survive late Swansea City scare

Tottenham Hotspur have narrowly defeated Swansea City 2-1 at the Liberty Stadium in the Premier League.

© PA Photos

Andre Villas-Boas's side surged ahead as early as the seventh minute through Jan Vertonghen, who played a one-two with Gareth Bale before tucking the ball past Michel Vorm.

Tottenham could have doubled their advantage five minutes later when Emmanuel Adebayor found himself in a one-on-one with Vorm, but the Togolese striker's shot was kept out by the Swansea goalkeeper.

Michu had a good chance to restore parity when he found himself at the end of a Jonathan de Guzman delivery, but the Spanish striker headed wide from just eight yards.

That miss came to haunt Swansea as Spurs went 2-0 up on 21 minutes, Bale firing home from 20 yards after being teed up by Vertonghen.

© PA Photos

The Welsh winger almost added his second goal of the afternoon just before the half-hour mark with another left-footed effort, but this time his shot went narrowly wide.

However, Tottenham had their luck to thank for not conceding eight minutes from the half-time interval when Nathan Dyer headed Dwight Tiendalli's cross against the bar.

Swansea stepped up their game at the start of the second half, as Michu drew out a save from Brad Friedel and minutes later headed wide from a good position.

The former Rayo Vallecano striker eventually etched his name on the scoresheet with 20 minutes left on the clock with a headed goal from a corner.

© PA Photos

Bale was unlucky not to restore Spurs' two-goal advantage on 75 minutes when he smashed against the Swansea post following a surging run from inside his own half.