With goalscoring opportunities a rarity for both sides and the game at St Andrew's looking destined to end goalless, another defensive blunder by Mario Melchiot led to Spurs opening the scoring through Aaron Lennon on 65 minutes. Robbie Keane sealed the win for the visitors just 13 minutes from time. "Until then we had been in the game. Unfortunately, we tailed off after this goal. "He sets himself such high standards but in this kind of situation there is no place to hide and he has to bear the brunt of the supporters' frustration. "There is still a long way to go and we will have to keep battling. It looks as if it could be a battle between West Bromwich, Portsmouth and ourselves. "Portsmouth have had back to back wins so it proves anything can happen between now and the end of the season."
"It was some horrific defending which gave Tottenham their first goal," Bruce said after the 2-0 defeat.
"In terms of effort I could not fault the players but the mistake by Melchiot cost us badly.