Tottenham sauntered into fourth spot with a convincing 3-0 defeat of Wigan at the DW Stadium.
Defoe and Pavlyuchenko on target in comfortable win
Tottenham sauntered into fourth spot and edged closer to the Holy Grail that is the Champions League courtesy of a 3-0 success in the North West that edges Wigan ever closer to the top flight trap door.
Wigan's tormenter-in-chief Jermain Defoe struck again to open the scoring in the first period before substitute Roman Pavlyuchenko bagged a late brace from the bench.
The eternal optimist will point to the fact a three goal defeat is a significant improvement on the 9-1 mauling meted out to Wigan by Spurs back in November, but realists will also acknowledge Roberto Martinez's side are very much embroiled in a battle to retain their Premier League status.
Played on a pitch better suited to rugby league or agricultural pursuits Tottenham demonstrated they now possess a grit to match their panache.
When the opening goal arrived in the 27th minute of an evenly contested first period it was, as is often the case these days in games officiated by Alan Wiley, tinged with controversy.
Wiley did well to allow Spurs to carry on their counter-attack despite David Bentley clearly being fouled on the half-way line, but after Defoe tapped in from close range Gareth Bale's delivery from the left on the overlap, his forlorn look across at the linesman spoke a thousand words.
The England man appeared to be a yard off-side and his muted celebration suggested as much, but Wiley concurred with his assistant and the goal was allowed to stand.
Wigan's response conjured the odd moment consternation for Heurelho Gomes, but in truth it was Harry Redknapp's side that always looked more likely to extend their advantage with substitute Luka Modric striking the post.
It was the little Croatian that proved to be the architect of Spurs' second as his nimble feet and clever pass presented an opportunity gratefully dispatched by fellow replacement Pavlyuchenko.
And it got even better for the Russian in the final minute when he steered home from the tightest of angles, after Chris Kirkland had parried his far post header back into his path.
Poor pitch
Wigan's notorious pitch is being ripped up and Tottenham were marginally the better side in the first half in difficult conditions after heavy overnight snow.
David Bentley tried his luck for the visiting side in the 15th minute from 25 yards but goalkeeper Kirkland took his chip with ease.
Then Bentley surged forward, only to see his rasping effort gathered by the goalkeeper after taking a deflection.
Wigan almost took the lead in the 22nd minute when Gomes did well to tip over a shot from Hugo Rodallega after he played a neat one-two with Marcelo Moreno.
Defoe made Wigan suffer again in the 27th minute when he made the breakthrough. However there was more than a hint of controversy about his 22nd goal of the season as he appeared to be offside when he prodded home a cross from Bale at the back post.
Wigan had been caught cold after losing possession in the middle of the park. Peter Crouch picked up the loose ball before releasing Kranjcar.
It was just the start Redknapp was looking for and Defoe was causing Wigan problems with his pace and movement.
Kirkland was tested a minute into the second half when he collected Crouch's header following a corner from Bentley.
Spurs pressure
Tottenham pushed forward three minutes later and Defoe made an unsuccessful appeal for a penalty, claiming he had been clipped by Gary Caldwell.
Ledley King had been troubled by a knee injury and was forced to come off in the 52nd minute with Sebastien Bassong drafted into Tottenham's defence.
Martinez then decided to go for a bit more creativity and brought on recent signing Victor Moses for Hendry Thomas four minutes later.
Moses was quickly into the action and tested Gomes after being set up by Charles N'Zogbia.
Tottenham, however, launched a swift counter-attack and Defoe rattled in a shot after 61 minutes, only to see it beaten away by Kirkland.
Wigan responded and N'Zogbia sent his effort narrowly over the bar after he had been set up by Moreno.
Back came Tottenham and Defoe sent a shot in following good work from Modric, who had stepped off the bench.
Tottenham boss Redknapp brought off Defoe in the 73rd minute to introduce
Pavlyuchenko into the action.
Super sub
Four minutes later they almost got a second goal when Crouch sprung the offside trap but Kirkland parried the ball to safety.
Wigan hit back and substitute Scott Sinclair's effort was fumbled by Gomes at the post only for the goalkeeper to recover in the nick of time.
Modric then hit the post before Pavlyuchenko extended their lead in the 85th minute with a cool finish after he had been released by Modric.
The Russian then completed his brace in stoppage time at the second attempt after Kirkland had initially blocked his shot.
