Roberto Soldado's first-half goal was enough for Tottenham Hotspur to squeeze past Cardiff City in this afternoon's Premier League match at White Hart Lane.

The Spaniard found the net after 27 minutes, prodding home his first goal from open play at home since joining Spurs following Emmanuel Adebayor's incisive pass.

Steven Caulker headed Cardiff's best chance against the crossbar soon after but that was as close as the visitors came as Spurs collected three points that keep alive their slim hopes of a top-four finish.

Below, Sports Mole dissects the action in North London.

Match statistics

Spurs
Shots: 15
On target: 6
Possession: 61%
Corners: 4
Fouls: 11

Cardiff
Shots: 8
On target: 2
Possession: 39%
Corners: 7
Fouls: 12

Was the result fair?

Just about, yes. Spurs dominated the possession as expected but they didn't create too many clear-cut openings. It was a performance like many other this season - not great, but good enough. Cardiff did have their openings and might feel that they deserved a point.

Spurs's performance

Sherwood opted to start both Soldado and Adebayor together and although they didn't link up that fluidly all game, they were on the same wavelength for the well-worked goal. Defensively, they were sound as Cardiff offered little going forward. Sherwood will be most pleased at the fact that Thursday's tough slog against Dnipro in the Europa League didn't affect them today.

Cardiff's performance

That's now seven away defeats in a row for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side, who dealt pretty well with Spurs's attacks but simply didn't do enough going forward. How former Tottenham man Caulker headed against the crossbar from just a couple of yards out, only he will know. There were other half-chances, but that Caulker one should have been taken. Cardiff are still just three points shy of safety and now have a huge game next week against Fulham, the only side in the table below them.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Michael Dawson: The Spurs centre-back was excellent in the air, especially in the opposition's box and should perhaps have got a goal himself. He was also solid at the back and kept that all-important clean sheet.

Biggest gaffe

Clear winner here in Caulker, who despite being under pressure somehow headed Craig Bellamy's corner against the woodwork.

Referee performance

Phil Dowd had a decent game, with few contentious decisions to make.

What next?

Spurs: Sherwood's side stay in London next week but it's a daunting trip West to face league leaders Chelsea.

Cardiff: As mentioned above, next week's game against Cardiff is a real make-or-break game for the Welsh side.