Christian Eriksen scored twice as Tottenham proved far too strong for spirited Hull City at White Hart Lane.
The Denmark international struck in either half as Spurs consolidated their grip on fifth place in the Premier League with their eighth win of the season.
Danny Rose laid Eriksen’s first on a plate inside 15 minutes after good work down the left, and Kyle Walker did likewise from the right to snuff out any hope of a Hull comeback after the break.
Eriksen was desperately unlucky not to claim the match ball after seeing a superb free-kick tipped on to the post by Hull goalkeeper David Marshall, allowing Victor Wanyama to mop up the rebound from a couple of yards out.
Hull can have no complaints about the defeat but the one-sided final score was a tad unfair on the Tigers after they matched their hosts for long spells.
However, 35 goals conceded in 16 games is a damning statistic for the side second-bottom of the league – as is the fact they have now lost six away games in succession, equalling their top-flight record.
Spurs dominated possession and chances – having 27 shots in all – but clear-cut openings were at a premium. Wing-backs Rose and Walker were a constant menace, however, and it was through them that Spurs had the most joy.
With 14 minutes gone Rose sprinted down the wing to latch on to Jan Vertonghen’s long ball, advanced and cut inside his marker before laying off for Eriksen to thump the ball high into the net.
With Spurs deploying Eric Dier alongside Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld in a three-man defence, Spurs’ wing-backs enjoyed greater licence to get forward and their second goal bore similarities to the first.
This time it was Dier with a ball over the top for Walker to collect and advance into the area, and when he crossed low across the face of goal it was an easy task for Eriksen to tuck home his second at the back post – his fifth goal in his last four Premier League games.
Rose then won the free-kick from which Spurs netted their third, capping a fine display by the England full-back.