Blackburn pipped Everton to qualify for the Uefa Cup after thrashing a sorry-looking Spurs side.
Trailing Everton by two points at the start of Sunday, Blackburn overhauled that deficit after David Moyes' side lost to champions Manchester United at Goodison Park.
By half time Spurs were trailing to goals from Dwight Yorke and Craig Hignett and were down to 10 men after Gustavo Poyet received a straight red card.
Soon after the interval, Damien Duff added a third, while Andy Cole piled on the misery with a fourth on the hour.
All in all it was a miserable day for Teddy Sheringham, on his last appearance for Spurs, after he was told earlier this week his contract was not to be renewed.
Spurs played like a side that had won just twice in their previous 10 games - in their last two games Glenn Hoddle's side have conceded nine goals.
The Blackburn forwards Cole and Yorke did not take long to expose Spurs' frailties.
Cole laid the ball off to Yorke, who drilled the ball into the bottom-right corner via Kasey Keller's glove for his 13th goal of the season.
Spurs' hopes of gaining a foothold in the game receded when Poyet's two-footed lunge on Gary Flitcroft earned him a straight red card from referee Andy D'Urso.
The Uruguayan midfielder leapt into a 50-50 challenge and left the Rovers captain with blood pouring from his right knee.
That was the key for Hoddle to leave his seat in the stand and join assistant John Gorman on the touchline, quickly withdrawing Keane into midfield, leaving Sheringham up front on his own.
On the stroke of half time Blackburn went further ahead when Hignett smashed home after Chris Perry half-cleared a cross.
Tottenham were 3-0 down within three minutes of the restart.
Rovers broke at pace with Damien Duff slipping the ball wide to Cole.
He crossed for Yorke and the ball broke to the onrushing Duff, who side-footed into an empty net from eight yards.
On the hour Yorke fed Duff, who skipped round Keller and squared for Cole to scuff the ball home.
Blackburn have now qualified for the Uefa Cup for a second season running, testament to Graeme Souness' canny management.
