Harry Kane's superb scoring streak continued as Tottenham Hotspur survived some late nerves to beat Everton 3-2 and cut Chelsea's lead at the top of the Premier League to seven points.
Harry Kane of Tottenham celebrates with team-mates Photo: Photosport
Kane went to the top of the Premier League scoring charts with a goal in each half to take his tally for the season to 19 - one more than Everton's Romelu Lukaku whose 80th-minute goal sparked a lively finale.
Look back at match commentary here.
Second-placed Tottenham's ninth consecutive home victory took them to 56 points from 27 games. Chelsea, who face a tricky London derby at West Ham United on Monday, have 63.
Tottenham's fans ironically sang: "He's just a one-season wonder" as England striker Kane made it 14 goals since the turn of the year in all competitions, a burst included hat-tricks in his last three appearances.
"I wanted that third goal and I had chances which I should have scored. It would have been another matchball but delighted with the win," Kane said.
"It was a nervy end. It's an important win, we should have won by more but it's another step closer to the top of the table. We want West Ham to win against Chelsea tomorrow; we don't normally say that."
Despite Kane's marksmanship it still needed a crafty stoppage-time goal from Dele Alli to make sure of the points, with Enner Valencia stabbing in an even later consolation for Everton whose nine-game unbeaten league run was ended.
With 35 points from a possible 39 at home before kick-off there was a confidence about Tottenham's play at White Hart Lane but they were kept quiet for 20 minutes by a tenacious Everton.
Then, Kane took matters into his own hands. There looked to be no real danger when he received the ball midway inside Everton's half but he advanced into space before unleashing a ferocious 25-metre drive that flashed past the diving Joel Robles.
There was a calm authority about Tottenham's play and they doubled their lead in the 56th minute when Everton's Morgan Schneiderlin was harried into losing the ball and Alli's pass released Kane to shoot under Robles.
Tottenham were cruising until Lukaku showed there were two lethal strikers on the pitch, to put Everton back in the game.
Taking advantage of a stumble by the otherwise impressive Jan Vertonghen, the Belgian burst forward and beat Hugo Lloris with a low shot for his 18th league goal of the season.
Tottenham's nerves were eased when Alli touched in a clever free kick by Harry Winks before a lapse by Eric Dier allowed Valencia to touch in from close range.
City up the ante
Sergio Aguero proved he is still vital to Manchester City's cause as the Argentine paved the way for a routine 2-0 victory at bottom club Sunderland.
Having lost his place last month to young Brazilian Gabriel Jesus there has been speculation about his future, but he was at his razor-sharp best as third-placed City closed the gap on Premier League leaders Chelsea to eight points.
He opened the scoring three minutes before half-time - taking his tally to five goals in his last three games in all competitions.
Leroy Sane made it 2-0 just before the hour mark after a superb pass by David Silva sent him in on goal.
With a home game against Stoke City to come on Wednesday, City can move into second place and there are signs, after a fourth consecutive league win, that they are finding another gear at the perfect moment in the season.
And having recovered from a run of six games without a goal, Aguero is back to his best form.
"I am happy and was very pleased with display of Sergio. When a huge player is left out people ask, "Why? Why? Why?" Guardiola said. "In the future I want to involve both Gabriel Jesus and Sergio when they're fit.
"Sergio helped us a lot in our game and in the build up. It was brilliant."
Sunderland remain bottom with only 19 points - six adrift of safety - after a third consecutive defeat.
- Reuters
