Summer recruit Rafael Van der Vaart has pinpointed the early goal as they turning point in Tottenham’s 2-0 win over Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.

The Dutchman broke the deadlock after just 9 minutes when his looping half-volley, with help from a Glen Johnson deflection, nestled into Pepe Reina’s far corner. Luka Modric doubled Spurs lead from the spot in the 55th minute to see them take all three points back to White Hart Lane and, with it, the clubs first win at Anfield since 1998.

It was the opening encounters that had Van der Vaart purring and, post match, said “We played our football and I thought we were the better team, especially in the first half-hour when we played really well.

“We didn’t wait, we played our game from the start. We know we can play well and when you score an early goal, you know you can go on to win.

“It’s a special win, but we know we can do it. We also won at Arsenal this season, we did well against United, Chelsea, City. We don’t have to be afraid of anyone.”

Spurs head into the last game of the season one point ahead of Liverpool in fifth place knowing that a win would secure the one and only Europa League spot this season.