Harry Kane and Dele Alli scored two goals each as a rampant Tottenham Hotspur thumped Stoke 4-0 to slice Premier League leaders Leicester City's lead to five points.
Tottenham's Dele Alli kisses the camera after scoring a goal. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The visitors produced a scintillating display of attacking football and took the lead after nine minutes when Kane curled a shot past Stoke keeper Shay Given.
Christian Eriksen struck the bar for Tottenham before half-time and the visitors wasted several good chances before Eriksen played in Alli to make it 2-0 in the 67th minute.
Alli then somehow struck the post with an empty goal gaping but Kane spared his blushes when he coolly tucked away Erik Lamela's pass for his 24th league goal of the season.
The outstanding Alli completed the rout, volleying in Eriksen's clever chip as Spurs ran riot to inflict Stoke's joint heaviest home defeat in the Premier League.
"What a performance! Stoke is a tough place to come and to win in the manner we did shows what sort of team we are," England striker Kane said.
"We are not going anywhere. We are on the charge and we just have to keep doing what we're doing. We scored four but could have had six or seven."
Asked about the photograph he posted, Kane added: "It was just a few lions waiting to pounce. After watching Leicester drop points I have been itching to play.
"I had to wait a whole day and a half."
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino was full of praise for the way his young side are responding to the title challenge.
"From the beginning we set out to win the game and we showed great quality and personality," the Argentinean said.
"Today maybe I feel more proud because we had to play with the pressure to try to catch Leicester at the top which is not easy. But we're hungry and showed passion in our play.
"We are still fighting."
Leicester lead the table on 73 points, with Tottenham second on 68.
Third placed Manchester City are level on 60 points with Arsenal but ahead on goal difference.
Manchester United are fifth with 56 points, while West Ham are sixth with 53.
-Reuters
