Tottenham 2 Leeds United 0

Tottenham outclassed their visitors to climb to seventh place in the Premiership and this latest defeat leaves Terry Venables in no doubt how much hard work he has to do as Leeds lie 14th.

It took just 12 minutes for the home side to take the lead when Robbie Keane raced clear, and although he was tackled by Teddy Lucic the ball fell kindly for Sheringham to place a low shot past Paul Robinson from 12 yards.

It could have been more as Spurs piled forward, but Keane saw a shot saved by Robinson and then Stephen Carr volleyed wide from six yards after being picked out at the far post by Goran Bunjevcevic.

The second goal finally arrived four minutes before half time and came right out of the top drawer.

Sheringham headed a high ball down to Gus Poyet who in turn flicked through to Keane, whose instant shot with the outside of his boot flew into the top corner.

Venables shuffled his pack at half time switching to a 4-3-3 formation following the introduction of Mark Viduka and Glenn Hoddle followed suit by changing to a flat back-four and it produced a far tighter game.

However Leeds could not find a way back into the contest and only managed one shot on target from distance, by Lee Bowyer, to show for all their efforts.

With the game petering out the star of the second half was referee Steve Bennett, who ended up with the names of seven Leeds players in his book along side three from the home side.

The only two chances Tottenham had to extend the lead came 15 minutes from the end when Sheringham failed to get a touch to Keane's cross and then Darren Anderton drove wide from 20 yards, but it did not matter as they held on for a well deserved win.