Premier League: Stoke 2 Tottenham 1

Tottenham’s 11-match unbeaten run in the league has come to an end with a 2-1 defeat to Stoke City at Britannia Stadium on Sunday.

The home side went into half-time 2-0 up thanks to a first-half brace from former Spurs man Matthew Etherington, with both goals coming from Ryan Shotton throw-ins.

Spurs hit back just after the hour mark when Emmanuel Adebayor scored from the penalty spot, but they could not find the equaliser and finished the match with 10 men when Younes Kaboul was sent off for a second yellow card eight minutes from the end.

Less than 40 seconds into the match, Spurs’ goalkeeper Brad Friedel was called into action to deny Etherington’s volley from Shotton’s throw-in, getting down well to his left to palm away the effort.

Shotton’s throws caused problems for Spurs throughout the first-half as first Ryan Shawcross went close, then Peter Crouch almost connected with another, but the England international missed his kick.

After threatening in the opening stages, the hosts took the lead in the 13th minute when Shotton’s throw-in was flicked on by Jonathan Walters before Crouch held off William Gallas and played the ball across goal for Etherington to tap in.

Spurs finally began to exert some pressure on their hosts but they were still struggling to create chances, although Luka Modric forced Thomas Sorensen into a good stop from long range.

Spurs dominated the rest of the half, but it was Stoke who got the next goal.

Shotton’s throw-in from the right-wing was again flicked on by Walters at the near post and Etherington crept in behind everyone, hitting a volley into the ground and past Friedel.

Spurs still managed to have more of the possession after the break, but clear-cut chances were few and far between with Sebastien Bassong going closest with a header – the Cameroonian putting it over following Modric’s corner.

After dominating the first 15 minutes of the second half, Harry Redknapp’s team were given the perfect opportunity to get back into the match as Modric’s trickery in the area drew a foul from Glen Whelan, and referee Chris Foy immediately pointed to the spot.

Adebayor stepped up to take the penalty and calmly side-footed his shot to Sorensen’s left as the Dane dived the wrong way.

The visitors had two good chances to equalise soon after, as first Scott Parker’s long-range effort was tipped over by Sorensen, then Adebayor’s curling strike went just wide.

With quarter of an hour to go, Spurs should have been awarded a second penalty as Kaboul’s shot was cleared off the line by the elbow of Shawcross, but Foy and his assistants failed to spot it.

Kaboul, already on a yellow card, was caught out by a ball behind the Spurs defence down the left, and the France international carelessly brought down Walters and was given his second caution.

Moments later, Shawcross could have scored twice from consecutive corners but his first header was well saved by Friedel and his second effort came crashing off the cross-bar.

Stoke did well to stifle the Spurs attacks in the closing stages and Tony Pulis’ side held on for the three points.