Premier League round-up: Tottenham'shopes of maintaining their Champions League hopes were dealt a blow by Wolvesafter Republic of Ireland striker Kevin Doyle scored the goal that secured a 1-0 win at White Hart Lane.
Harry Redknapp’s men drew their previous two Premier League games and this defeat had the hallmarks of Stoke’s smash-and-grab performance in October.
Mick McCarthy’s side defended heroically to hold onto their lead, earning them a fourth league win of the season and boosting their ambitions of survival this season — suddenly facing Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool before the end of the month is less daunting.
Redknapp’s men scored nine in their previous home game, against Wigan, but Wolves ripped up the formbook with their goal in the third minute from a move that started with Tom Huddlestone fouling Karl Henry on the right flank.
Nenad Milijas swung over the cross and Doyle got in front of Michael Dawson to get the merest touches past Spurs goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes.
Replays suggested a slight flick from Doyle’s head — and the goal would have been disallowed if the indirect free-kick went straight in.
Spurs defenders, in any case, were pointing fingers at each rather than referee Stuart Attwell, famous for awarding a “phantom” goal at Watford last season.
Carlos Tevez came to ten-man Manchester City'srescue in a 3-3 draw as he secured a point with 13 minutes remaining of a rousing encounter against Bolton at the Reebok Stadium.
It was his second goal of the game and his eighth of the season after Craig Bellamy had been sent off for two yellow cards.
Tevez is now on a roll but the disappointing fact for City was that they failed to build on the splendid victory against Chelsea last weekend.
This was their eighth draw in nine league games -yet it could have been a lot worse.
Bolton belied their lowly league status with a fine performance and Ivan Klasnic also scored a brace. There was also a superb individual effort from Gary Cahill to savour, while Micah Richards scored City’s second.
Portsmouthdefender Younes Kaboul snatched another precious point for the Premier League's basement boys as Sunderlandallowed victory to slip from their grasp as the game finished 1-1.
The Frenchman, who famously turned down a move to the Stadium of Light, struck three minutes into injury time and was promptly sent off for removing his shirt in celebration having already been booked.
Kaboul’s strike sparked wild celebrations on the sidelines and among the small band of travelling supporters behind Marton Fulop’s goal.
Their mood was in stark contrast to that of Black Cats boss Steve Bruce and the home fans among a crowd of 37,578, as Pompey became just the third side this season to leave Wearside with anything to show for their efforts.
Sunderland had taken the lead through Darren Bent’s 10th goal of the season with 23 minutes gone, but although Andy Reid hit the bar with an 80th-minute free-kick, they failed to push home their advantage and were made to pay at the death.
Wade Elliott fired his second goal of the season to salvage Burnleya potentially priceless point as they drew 1-1 at Turf Moor to deny Fulham'sBobby Zamora another week in the headlines.
Fulham striker Zamora — at the centre of an alleged row with his own club’s fans — looked to have hit his second consecutive winner with a cool 50th-minute finish.
But Elliott had other ideas and his superb volley after Stephen Jordan’s deep cross was deflected into his path ensured Owen Coyle’s men maintained their fine home form.
Lee Bowyer scored the only goal of the game against former club West Hamto secure Birmingham'splace in the top half of the table and increase the relegation worries of a West Ham side who had Mark Noble sent off in the closing stages.
The 32-year-old midfielder, who made the permanent switch from Upton Park in the summer after an initial loan spell, settled the match with his sixth goal of the campaign.
It enabled City to record a fourth successive league win and equal their best top-flight run for five years and since the Steve Bruce era.
Stokecame from behind twice to earn a 2-2 draw at home to Wiganbut had goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen to thank for saving an 89th-minute Hugo Rodallega penalty.
Emmerson Boyce’s early header was cancelled out by Tuncay Sanli’s first goal for the Potters before the interval.
Maynor Figueroa scored one of the goals of the season with a 72nd-minute free-kick from inside his own half to put Wigan ahead.
However, the lead lasted just two minutes as Ryan Shawcross outjumped Figueroa to head in Matt Etherington’s corner with Chris Kirkland caught in no-man’s land.
In the 89th minute Huth brought down Jordi Gomez, who was offside, but Rodallega fired his spot-kick straight at Sorensen, who has now conceded just one of the last six penalties he has faced in the Premier League.
Sam Allardyce failed to get the better of his former assistant Phil Brown as Blackburnand Hullplayed out a scrappy goalless draw.
Hull had the best opportunities of a tight but poor-quality encounter at the KC Stadium and felt Jozy Altidore was denied a clear penalty in the second half.
Blackburn had their opportunities, particularly after the introduction of the lively Nikola Kalinic, but had to settle for a point.