Tottenham Hotspur 1 Swansea City 0: match report

16 December 2012 15:55
Tottenham Hotspur moved back into the Champions League places with a 1-0 win over Swansea City built on persistence and frayed nerves. After 75 minutes of short-passing stalemate, the winner came courtesy of a set-piece, Jan Vertonghen sweeping home after a Kyle Walker cross fell to his right foot on the half-volley. Unlike a week ago at Everton, and several other times this season, having gained a slender advantage, Andre Villas-Boas’s side managed to defend it. With 15 minutes to hold out, White Hart Lane braced itself for a nervy finale, conscious that 10 goals conceded in the last 10 minutes of Premier League games have proved costly. Had they kept them out, Spurs would sit top of a notional league of games lasting only 80 minutes. This time they managed it, and the coach will settle for fourth in the real world, particularly after surviving a late barrage from visitors who only abandoned their short-passing principles in desperation.

Source: telegraph