The Swans suffered their third successive league defeat as two early goals from Tottenham gave them an uphill battle in an entertaining encounter at the Liberty but in the end their efforts were to no avail as they were unable to capitalise on some good opportunities created.

Having had a two week break from league action thanks to the recent round of internationals the Swans came into this game hoping to put behind them back to back defeats to West Brom and Arsenal and prove that they had not taken theince passing the 40 point barrier and lifting the Capital One Cup last month.

And it was an attacking looking line up from the Swans with Pablo Hernandez, Wayne Routledge and Nathan Dyer all starting against one of the most fluid attacking sides in the Premier league who themselves were hoping to put behind them their own two back to back league defeats.

It was always going to be a tough game for the Swans to prove their own top ten credentials and it was made harder inside eight minutes when they found themselves a goal down from an unlikely source in centre half Vertonghen who played a neat one two with Gareth Bale before controlling the ball and sliding it past Michel Vorm to give the visitors the lead.

Just past the twenty minute barrier it was 2-0 with this time the defender feeding Bale who took one touch and fired a shot past Vorm from the edge of the area that the keeper didn't even manage to move for and the game looked all but over with the Swans second best at this stage as well as being two goals down.

Whether it was Tottenham taking their foot off the gas or whether it was Swansea upping their game i am not entirely sure but the Swans came back into the game for the rest of the second half and should have at least halved the defecit before half time when a perfect Tiendalli cross found the head of Nathan Dyer who headed against the bar when it looked easier to score and somehow he failed to capitalise on the rebound as well as it hit him and went wide to the amazement of most of the crowd inside the Liberty.

It was going to take something special to pull the Swans back into the game in the second half as they tried to press more for a goal to at least worry Spurs. Michu squandered the two best chances of the half when Friedel saved well from a smartly taken quick free kick and he also headed wide when well placed from another Tiendalli cross.

At the other end Spurs were always a threat thanks to Bale and his speed of break and Vorm had to save well from him and Defoe as the visitors went in search of a third goal.

Michu did get one back with 20 minutes to go when he headed home Ki's corner but it was to the the only consolation of an afternoon that often saw them attempt one pass too many sometimes in the search of the perfect goal that never came.

Three defeats now in a row for the Swans and they want to halt that at norwich next week before their quality form this season looks less effective.

Photo: Action Images

Portsmouth Polls