Stoke vs. Tottenham: Winners and Losers from Premier League
When Leicester City took their lead at the top of the Premier League to eight points, it would have been understandable if Tottenham Hotspur had accepted that their chance had gone.
Instead of giving in, Spurs appear to have lifted to a new level after consecutive thrashings of Manchester United and Stoke City.
While United were blown away in a short second-half spell, Stoke were taken apart in an excruciating 90 minute-hammering that ended 4-0 but could have been even worse.
Shay Given, recalled in light of Jack Butland's injury, was handed an embarrassment to match his last Premier League appearance (a 6-1 defeat for Aston Villa).
In truth, Given cannot be blamed as Spurs' animalistic aggression proved simply irresistible.
Stoke weren't even particularly poor, but the visitors shone with each player giving a fine display.
The Britannia has been a difficult place for Tottenham to visit in previous seasons, but this vintage are the finest in decades and they disposed of their hosts with ease.
Winner: Harry Kane
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The first chance that fell to Harry Kane in this must-win match was a good one by his standards, but he just couldn't get the ball out of his feet and his eventual shot was easily dealt with by Shay Given.
If that seemed to portend a difficult evening for Kane, his next opportunity obliterated those fears.
Taking possession at the top of the box, Kane made himself an inch of space and then whipped his shot into the far corner beyond Given's fully stretched 6'1" frame.
Kane continues to blossom as Tottenham's leader on the pitch, and his willingness to take responsibility where he could pass reflects that.
His refusal to pass to Erik Lamela early in the second half reflects the confidence that makes him such a dangerous player and should not be too harshly criticised.
Kane sealed the win with his second of the evening and Spurs' third to lift his season total to 24 and regain the outright lead in the race for the Golden Boot.
He also moved into fourth place on the all-time list of Tottenham Premier League goalscorers, level with Chris Armstrong.
Winner: Marko Arnautovic
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Marko Arnautovic has enjoyed a career renaissance with Stoke City.
The Austrian has been Stoke's most consistently influential player this season, and his display against Spurs should come as no surprise.
Arnautovic showed off his astonishingly powerful shot early on but only after a neat touch that took him away from the division's best central defender, Toby Alderweireld.
He later won a corner against the same opponent despite Alderweireld seemingly having the advantage.
Despite Tottenham's relative control, Arnautovic was a constant threat.
With the freedom to push beyond Bojan, Arnautovic made clever runs that forced Spurs' defenders to make quick decisions and adapt their system.
Loser: Leicester City
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Leicester City remain huge favourites to win the Premier League, but their hopes have suffered a double blow after the 2-2 draw with West Ham United and Spurs' subsequent victory.
Tottenham were utterly nerveless in their evisceration of Stoke City, relentlessly attacking long after the game was won.
They wrenched back their position as the best attacking team in the division and further fortified their unassailable goal difference.
Every aspect of this match should add to the inevitable nerves of Claudio Ranieri's unlikely leaders.
The gap at the top remains five points, and no team would prefer to be in Spurs' position over Leicester's, but the picture has changed significantly in the last 48 hours.
Should Jamie Vardy's red card suspension be extended, it will be yet another filip to Tottenham's chase.
Winner: Christian Eriksen
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Away at Stoke City, a diminutive playmaker like Christian Eriksen may not be expected to be among the best performers, but the little Dane was in everything.
His tireless running formed the front line of Tottenham's defence, forcing Stoke's defenders to play unfamiliar one-touch passes, and with the ball at his own feet, he also impressed.
This match was stretched from the outset, only becoming more so after Kane's opener, and Eriksen's ability to direct counter-attacks was on full display.
He squandered a huge opportunity just before half-time, but the run and technique on the shot were delightful and deserved a goal.
His superb assist for Dele Alli's goal helped sealed the result for Spurs and deserves further examination.
A one-touch ball, on the turn, pierced Stoke's ragged defensive line and gave Alli the chance to double Tottenham's advantage.
Eriksen then won the ball on the edge of Spurs' penalty area to begin the counter-attack that ended with the decisive third goal.
He then clipped a perfect ball in for Alli's second, rounding out a superb display.
Eriksen has often been under-appreciated this season, but he was fantastic at the Britannia.
Winner: Giannelli Imbula
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The sale of Steven N'Zonzi to Sevilla in the summer left Stoke without a hugely influential player.
N'Zonzi had been consistently one of the Potters' best players in his three seasons with the club owing to his capacity to contribute both in offensive and defensive phases.
Bringing an immense physicality and surprising technique and passing range, N'Zonzi's absence was keenly felt.
Perhaps recognising that error, Stoke spent a club record £18.3 million in the winter transfer window to bring in Giannelli Imbula.
Imbula showed against Tottenham that he is more than capable of filling the N'Zonzi-shaped hole in Stoke's midfield.
The Frenchman was strong and smart with the ball at his feet and demonstrated controlled aggression in defence.
His eventual concession of a yellow card blunted his utility as a defensive weapon, but Imbula looked very much at home despite his relative inexperience in English football.
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