Gustavo Poyet's first-half winner for Tottenham severely dented Liverpool's flagging hopes of winning the Premiership and ensured Spurs' home campaign ended on a high.

Gerard Houllier's team had their chances, but so did Spurs and Glenn Hoddle's team were good value for their win.

Tottenham played neat, attractive football and - particularly in the second-half - stroked the ball around with nonchalant ease.

Liverpool lacked their characteristic assuredness in defence and seemed tense on the ball as they chased an equaliser.

The result means Liverpool's 14-game unbeaten run in the top-flight comes to an end - and allows Manchester United the opportunity to wrench second place from the Merseysiders' grip.

Two good chances fell to Teddy Sheringham in the opening minutes.

The England striker volleyed over from the edge of the area after three minutes and headed wide after a determined run by Simon Davies shortly after.

But Liverpool bounced back, almost scoring twice inside a minute.

Sami Hyypia met a Danny Murphy free-kick and forced a brilliant one-handed save from Kasey Keller.

Goal-line clearance

And from the subsequent corner Mauricio Taricco athletically cleared an Emile Heskey header off the line.

Liverpool continued to push forward - John Arne Riise hit the post with a header after 12 minutes and Michael Owen shot wide nine minutes later.

But it was Spurs who opened the scoring.

Poyet had gone close with a goal-bound shot that Hyypia blocked and with a snap-shot from the edge of the area that narrowly missed the target.

But with half-time looming the Uruguayan shot home from six yards after Davies fortuitously knocked a superb Darren Anderton cross into his path.

Tottenham almost doubled their lead in injury time but Steffen Iversen's header was saved by Jerzy Dudek.

Owen shot across the face of goal nine minutes into the second half, but Heskey just failed to get the crucial touch that would have led to an equaliser.

The second-half provided far fewer clear-cut chances.

Spurs fashioned several half-chances, with Poyet going close and Iversen causing problems for the opposition.

Liverpool, despite the introduction of Nicolas Anelka, Patrik Berger and Jari Litmanen, lacked penetration.

And with just minutes left Dudek superbly saved from Davies to prevent Spurs from doubling their advantage.