4-2 v Blackburn Rovers - 13 November 2010 - Home

Tottenham got their Premier League campaign emphatically back on track with a comfortable win over Blackburn.

Gareth Bale headed Spurs in front before Roman Pavlyuchenko missed a chance when clean through and also failed to convert a penalty.

Pavlyuchenko atoned for his errors with a far-post header and strikes by Peter Crouch and Bale put Spurs out of reach.

Ryan Nelsen touched in a David Dunn shot and Gael Givet drove in an 18-yard strike as Rovers rallied late on.

But their efforts will be scant consolation for manager Sam Allardyce, who might have been hopeful of giving Tottenham a real test following his side's midweek victory at Newcastle.

But Spurs turned the boos which rang out at White Hart Lane after their draw with Sunderland to cheers as they stayed within striking distance of the top four by playing with a swagger and style which is such a feature of their game when at their best.

Bale, who has been one of the revelations of the season, was again a key figure for the home side and the creativity, vision and trickery of Rafael van der Vaart and Luka Modric added another dimension to their attack.

Welsh winger Bale got the ball rolling for the home side when he produced a well-timed run to meet a Van der Vaart corner and steered in a near-post header.

Modric was then harshly booked for diving when he went over the outstretched leg of defender Michel Salgado in the box before Pavlyuchenko wasted two glorious opportunities.

The Russian international, who can be as infuriating as he is impressive on other occasions, had only keeper Paul Robinson to beat after a poor backpass by Rovers defender Phil Jones, only to shoot high.

A foul by ex-Spurs stopper Robinson on Crouch then gave Pavlyuchenko a chance from the spot to extend Tottenham's lead, but he carelessly sidefooted wide.

However, when Bale sent over a cross to the far post, Pavlyuchenko found himself unmarked and guided a header past the over-worked Robinson.

Blackburn's best chances came when Nikola Kalinic produced a lovely turn and shot, which was beaten away by Heurelho Gomes, before Morten Gamst Pedersen had a strike cleared off the line by centre-back William Gallas.

But, when Givet dallied after a Pavlyucheko shot was parried to him by Robinson, Crouch robbed him of possession and shot into the roof of the net.

There was a touch of controversy about Tottenham's fourth as the ball appeared to strike Van der Vaart's arm during the move which led to Bale scoring from 12 yards.

Thereafter, Blackburn were playing for pride and Nelsen and Givet at least gave the scoreline a margin of respectability.

But Blackburn's efforts came too late and Spurs moved to within three points of fourth-placed Manchester City with the win.

Tottenham assistant coach Joe Jordan: "At the moment Bale is a provider and he is also scoring goals.

"He is so positive going forward but he does a shift when we have not got the ball. He has the energy to do that.

"The way we played the game was fantastic. We played some great football."