From White Hart Lane tottenham H 1 Modric 50 chelsea 0 Att: 36,034 SPURS moved further away from relegation trouble with a terrific win over title-chasing Chelsea on Saturday. Luka Modric s winner helped inflict Guus Hiddink s

From White Hart Lane

tottenham H 1

Modric 50

chelsea 0

Att: 36,034

SPURS moved further away from relegation trouble with a terrific win over title-chasing Chelsea on Saturday.

Luka Modric's winner helped inflict Guus Hiddink's first defeat since arriving in England. A suspect vehicle near the Lane delayed the kick-off by half an hour, meaning Chelsea began knowing leaders Manchester United were struggling at Fulham.

But Tottenham, unbeaten in five games, had their own agenda and they delivered all three points with a hard-working performance.

Chelsea struggled to create clear-cut chances in the first half and rarely troubled goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes.

The Brazilian was tested twice - in the eighth minute by a skidding shot from Michael Essien and Nicholas Anelka's 33rd minute drive.

At the other end Jermaine Jenas fired just over before Petr Cech did well to push a stinging drive from Robbie Keane out for a corner.

Tottenham's endeavour was rewarded five minutes after the restart. Aaron Lennon, fresh from signing a new contract, skipped past Ashley Cole on the right and his low cross was rifled into the corner by Modric.

The goal rattled the Blues and Spurs pressed forwards in search of a second. Modric went close again with a similar effort to his goal while Ledley King headed over unmarked from a corner.

Chelsea came more into the game with the introduction of Ricardo Quaresma and almost immediately the Portugal winger's deep cross forced Vedran Corluka into as last-gasp clearance.

Shortly after, Gomes produced a smart save to deny Didier Drogba before Robbie Keane curled narrowly wide at the other end.

Chelsea stepped up the pressure in the closing 10 minutes as the Spurs goal came under siege. Gomes made another stunning save, this time diving full length to thwart John Terry's downward header. And there was still time for Alex to head into the ground and onto the bar deep into stoppage time. But Spurs cleared and the points were safe.

SPURS MAN OF THE MATCH: Heurelho Gomes. The under-fire keeper pulled off a string of stunning saves.

Team: Gomes 8, Corluka 7, King 8, Woodgate 8, Assou-Ekotto 7, Palacios 7, Jenas 7, Modric 8 (O'Hara 8 27), Lennon 8, Keane 7, Bent 7. Not used: Cudicini, Bentley, Pavlyuchenko, Huddlestone, Dawson. Booked: Modric, Palacios.

1