Stoke City 0-1 Spurs
TOTTENHAM KEPT THEIR dim Champions League dreams flickering by defeating 10-man Stoke at the Britannia Stadium.
Tim Sherwood’s side ended a run of six away games without a win thanks to Danny Rose’s powerful header after 33 minutes. The visitors’ winning chances improved significantly when Ryan Shawcross was sent off for two bookable offences.
Stephen Ireland came closest to levelling matters for the hosts while Emmanuel Adebayor missed a good chance to double his side’s lead. The Potters remain in 10th while Spurs are now on 66 points, four behind fourth placed Arsenal.
Swansea 4-1 Aston Villa
Meanwhile, Jonjo Shelvey scored a stunning goal as Swansea City dragged Aston Villa deeper into relegation trouble with a 4-1 win.
Paul Lambert’s side came into the weekend four points above the drop zone in the Premier League, but saw that gap reduced following a defeat in which Shelvey provided a moment of pure quality at the Liberty Stadium.
The midfielder capitalised on a poor Ron Vlaar attempted clearance to find the back of the net from the edge of the centre circle to Swansea back in front, as the hosts recorded their first back-to-back league wins since December 2012 and eased any lingering fears of relegation.
Leading scorer Wilfried Bony had given Swansea a 10th-minute lead, before Gabriel Agbonlahor pulled Villa level from close range 12 minutes later. Pablo Hernandez then fired home from 12 yards in the 73rd minute and just as at Newcastle, Bony scored from the penalty spot in time added on after Nathan Baker had fouled Marvin Emnes.
The result lifts Swansea eight points clear of the relegation zone, while Villa boss Lambert may now be a little more concerned over his future, with speculation mounting that chairman Randy Lerner is looking to sell the club.
