Tottenham dropped out of the top four as they were held to a goalless draw with Stoke City at White Hart Lane.

The visitors started the game on top and could have gone ahead but Spurs fought back and Stoke were left to see out a wave of attacks to take away a point.

Kyle Walker almost handed Stoke an early Christmas present in the opening minute when he passed across the box straight to Kenwyne Jones who sliced his shot over under pressure.

Stoke had much of the possession in the opening 25 minutes and Spurs were forced to see out a number of corners from the visitors.

Sandro cleared off the line under pressure after Jones’ shot looked to be trickling in.

The forward was played in down the right but Lloris was able to get a hand to his effort allowing Sandro to get back and keep the ball out.

The home side grew into the game as half time approached and could have gone ahead when Vertonghen beat three players on the left side before fizzing over a cross that flew just over Jermain Defoe at the near post.

Bale was released in space on the left and found Adebayor with an arching cross but the stretching Togolese striker’s cushioned header dropped just over the cross bar.

Bale headed over when he met Lennon’s cross that was stood up to the far post at the start of the second half but Stoke frustrated Spurs as they struggled to make the break through.

Defoe went close when his deflected shot flashed wide and Sandro had his cross blocked with Adebayor waiting for a tap-in in front of goal.

Spurs had a late penalty shout waived away went Gareth Bale went down as he tried to shoot under a challenge.

Asmir Begovic rescued his side in stoppage time with a superb reaction save from Gylfi Sigurdsson’s header.

Spurs now travel to Aston Villa on Boxing Day in the hope of three points that could lift them back into the Champions League places.

Tottenham: Lloris, Walker, Dawson, Caulker, Vertonghen, Lennon (Sigurdsson, 78), Sandro, Dembele (Parker, 84), Bale, Defoe, Adebayor. Subs: Friedel, Gallas, Naughton, Livermore, Townsend.

Stoke: Begovic, Wilkinson, Shawcross, Huth, Cameron, Shotton, Nzonzi, Whelan, Etherington, Jones (Jerome, 65), Walters. Subs: Sorensen, Palacios, Whitehead, Upson, Kightly, Crouch.

Referee: Lee Mason (Lancashire)

Bookings: Sandro, 7, Vertonghen, 27, Wilkinson, 46, Whitehead, 18, Cameron, 76.

Att: 35,702.