Spurs on a hot streak

SWANSEA, WALES - JANUARY 19: Spurs player Emmanuel Adebayor reacts during the Barclays premier league match between Swansea City and Tottenham Hotspur at Liberty Stadium on January 19, 2014 in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

SWANSEA, WALES - JANUARY 19: Spurs player Emmanuel Adebayor reacts during the Barclays premier league match between Swansea City and Tottenham Hotspur at Liberty Stadium on January 19, 2014 in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Published Jan 19, 2014

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London – Tottenham Hotspur secured a fifth successive away Premier League victory and moved up to fifth place after Emmanuel Adebayor scored twice in a 3-1 win at Swansea City on Sunday.

Adebayor opened the scoring after 35 minutes with a near post header from Christian Eriksen's cross, and after Chico Flores turned a Kyle Walker cross into his own net early in the second half, the Togo striker made it 3-0 with 19 minutes left having been set up by Danny Rose.

Wilfried Bony capped a tireless effort by pulling one goal back for the hosts who now sit three points above the relegation zone.

Spurs are level on 43 points with Liverpool, although Everton could overtake them both with victory over West Bromwich Albion on Monday, while defeat prolongs a dire run for Michael Laudrup's Swansea who have failed to win in eight league matches dating back to early December.

Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood dropped Spanish striker Roberto Soldado to the bench, with Adebayor supported by Eriksen, Aaron Lennon and Nacer Chadli in attack.

The move paid dividends, as Spurs crowded the midfield and were dangerous on the break.

“I thought we played well,” Sherwood told Sky Sports.

“We changed it a little bit with three up top.

“Swansea had a few chances from outside the box early on, but I always thought we were the most dangerous side.

“As soon as it clicked I thought our quality would come through and it did.”

He was rewarded by the form of Adebayor, who was excellent and could easily have scored a hat-trick.

Sherwood brought the big striker, who now has five goals in seven league appearances, back into the fold, after he was sidelined by former manager Andre Villas-Boas, who was sacked in December.

“I can't take the credit for Emmanuel Adebayor, he has to take the credit. I have just given him the stage to go and perform.

“It's not as if he was never a good player. He was always a fantastic player. Everywhere he has been he has scored goals. He is enjoying his football at the moment and we are all reaping the rewards from it.”

Swansea lacked an attacking threat other than Ivorian Bony, who also hit the crossbar before finding the net, and manager Michael Laudrup admitted they were in a rut.

“We started well in the first half hour,” he said. “We had a great attitude and put them under pressure. We had some good chances and the strike from Bony hit the bar.

“The first time they have a shot on target they score. We lost shape for 5-10 minutes. It is something that happens when you are struggling.

“We have to admit we have some problems right now. On the other hand, we have to continue like this. We need a win.”

Third-placed Chelsea host champions Manchester United in Sunday's late kickoff. – Reuters

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