Kieran Trippier goal moves Tottenham into second place

Kieran Trippier's goal gave Spurs a 1-0 win against Watford as they moved into second place in the Premier League.

Spurs had the chance to leapfrog Manchester City, who lost 3-0 at home to Leicester City in the first game of the weekend. They were also able to secure a three point lead over Arsenal behind them, even if the advantage is reduced or entirely eliminated tomorrow.

In the first half, Spurs’ pressure came mainly through Nacer Chadli and Ben Davies down the left, but Heurelho Gomes was equal to Davies’ efforts, making a couple of smart stops.

In the second half, Kieran Trippier gave Spurs the lead after substitute Dele Alli’s superb cross to the back post.

Tottenham sealed their sixth consecutive win since their defeat to Leicester City with another clean sheet - and are just five points behind first place.

26’ - DEMBELE SHOT - Lamela's shot is blocked for a corner. He gets another cross into the box, it falls to Dembele in the box, and his shot is volleyed wide.

32’ - GOMES SAVE - Davies plays a one-two into the box with Chadli, and he strikes a shot at the far corner from a tight angle - Gomes is able to push it away smartly.

40’ - KANE SHOT - Dier flights a ball over the heads of the defence, and Kane gets in behind of Britos, and he can only lift his effort over the bar.

51’ - PENALTY APPEAL - Kane reaches Lamela's deflected cross at the near post, and Gomes clips him with his arms. There's a hint of a dive, but the referee awards a corner.

64’ - GOAL! Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Watford. Trippier scores - Dembele sprints forward, holds the ball up and then slips in Alli on the overlap. With the outside of the boot he sends a cross to the back post, cutting everyone out of the game but Trippier, who slots into an empty net.

75’ - SON SHOT - Son jinks in the box after running into the box, he shifts the ball right for a shot at goal, but Gomes beats it behind.

Kieran Trippier (Spurs): Putting so many crosses into the box, as Spurs did with Trippier, is often a sign of desperation, but Trippier’s deliveries were often dangerous and kept the pressure on down the right-hand side. He exploited the space he was afforded with a goal when he tapped in from Dele Alli’s cross, but he had been one of Spurs’ most dangerous players throughout.

Tottenham Hotspur: Lloris 6, Trippier 8, Alderweireld 6, Wimmer 6, Davies 7, Dembele 7, Dier 6, Chadli 6, Eriksen 6, Lamela 6, Kane 6. Subs: Alli 7, Carroll 6, Son 6.

Watford: Gomes, 6, Nyom 6, Britos 5, Cathcart 6, Ake 6, Suarez 5, Watson 6, Capoue 6, Jurado 6, Abdi 6, Ighalo 5. Subs: Prödl 6, Behrami 6, Deeney 7.

This was Spurs' sixth consecutive victory.

Spurs' 19 league goals conceded so far this season is the best in the league.

Can Spurs keep up their challenge? They remain in the FA Cup and Europa League, so theoretically have more games to play than Leicester, Manchester City and Arsenal, as they battle for the title. Against Colchester in the FA Cup, Mauricio Pochettino didn’t rest Harry Kane or Erik Lamela until the game was won, and there wasn’t a great deal of rotation today, either. It is not that they aren’t talented enough to win enough games to qualify for the Champions League, but they may have to start cutting corners soon.