Spurs stole a march on Man City in the fight for fourth place tonight, with a comfortable 2-0 home win.

Nico Kranjcar bagged a brace in either half and Jermain Defore netted on 52 minutes to seal three points against a Man City whose main performers were as off-song as a orchestra for the tone-deaf.

Now Harry Redknapp's side stand fifth in the Premier League table on 30 points, two points off fourth place Aston Villa and far ahead of City in seventh, who slip behind Birmingham City.

There was a complete and utter lack of goal scoring chances in this match before Nico Kranjcar poked a shot into the net on 36 minutes.

Aaron Lennon's cross from the right to the far post was met by who else, but Peter Crouch.

His downward header bounced off Steven Ireland before he knew it and straight into Kranjcar's path. He stuck out a foot which was enough to nestle the ball in the net.

Spurs had spent much of the first half soaking up pressure while City passed it about the midfield to zero effect. Come half-time and the visitors had warmed Gomes' gloves just once, when he turned over an effort by Robinho.

Perhaps the cold was freezing up the radars of the sides. Midway through the half, Defoe was lurking near the penalty spot when the ball fell at his feet. Swivelling 180 degrees his effort from 12 yards ended up over by the corner flag.

That came a few minutes after Nigel De Jong had nearly found the top tier of the stand with a shot which seemed to be aimed at the moon rather than the Spurs goal.

Adebayor had an anonymous first half with Carlos Tevez up front for City. The boos he drew from home fans were the sign he was present at all.

Meanwhile, Tevez had all the profile of someone on the witness protection programme. Adebayor's first shot with 23 minutes left, sailed over the bar into the crowd of fans who were jeering him. Maybe he meant it.

In contrast, Spurs closed down inside their own half and were so direct in their forward play compared to the visitors.

The hosts doubled their lead on 52 minutes with a pure piece of route-one football. Gomes hoofed a free kick long into the City area where Crouch brushed aside Richards and nodded it on to Defoe. The England hitman had the simplest of jobs to knock it past Given after Toure failed to connect with his flailing leg.

Stephen Ireland brought the best out Bassong with 15 minutes left to go when the Irishman broke onto a rebound ball. Bassong slid in and cleared the lines with Ireland through on goal.

That was as good as it got for City, who looked utterly devoid of any idea of how to unpick Spurs.

Adebayor conspired to sky a shot over the bar from five yards out with three minutes to go, as City threatened a late rally.

But Krancjar put paid to that when he doubled his tally in stoppage time, powering into the box and netting from close range.

Spurs might wonder if the race for fourth place will always be so comfortable.