Stoke enter top half of PL table post securing 2-1 win over Tottenham

Stoke City advanced to the top half of the Premier League table post securing a 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur, who had full back Kyle Naughton sent off late on.

Tottenham striker Harry Kane had a header saved on his first league start of the season, before Bojan Krkic's run and finish gave Stoke the lead just six minutes into the game. Jon Walters then fired in a second from Mame Biram Diouf's cross.

Nacer Chadli's second-half volley reduced the lead to 2-1 and set-up a tense finish until Naughton was dismissed for a foul on Victor Moses, The BBC reported.

The win moved Stoke up to ninth in the table while Tottenham, who have now lost three of their last four league games, drop to 12th. The defeat spoiled the mood of optimism among the home fans prior to kick-off, brought on by the inclusion of Kane in the first 11.

The England Under-21 striker had only featured from off the bench in the Premier League this season but eight goals in his last eight games in all competitions had convinced Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino to give him his first league start under the Argentine.

He almost justified his manager's decision within seconds when Chadli ran through the Stoke defence and curled a cross towards the far post for Kane, but his header was held on the line by Asmir Begovic.

Meanwhile, Stoke were fully in control and they took an early lead thanks to a brilliant individual goal by KrKic, as the former Barcelona forward picked up the ball inside his own half, drove through the Tottenham midfield before dispatching a low shot from 25 yards beyond the dive of Hugo Lloris.

Unmarked Walters' drive home from Diouf's cross doubled Stoke's lead over Tottenham.

Tottenham offered nothing in response, and the half-time whistle prompted boos from the home crowd as the players left the field.

Stoke manager Mark Hughes said that he really pleased with the manner of the performance, adding that they had a game plan and executed it to the letter.