Tottenham go fourth, Chelsea stroll past QPR

Tottenham Hotspur FC reclaimed fourth spot with a 2-0 win against relegation-threatened Blackburn Rovers FC, on a day when Chelsea FC's renaissance continued as they dispatched Queens Park Rangers FC 6-1.

Harry Redknapp's side were eager to arrest a three-match losing streak in all competitions and responded with an enterprising display. Luka Modrić looked to get the ball rolling with a smart cutback for Aaron Lennon, and although the England winger missed the target, it was not long before Spurs went ahead.

It fell to Rafael van der Vaart to break the deadlock with 22 minutes gone as he converted the rebound after a Gareth Bale header had come back off the woodwork. The hosts confirmed victory 15 minutes from time when defender Kyle Walker curled a sumptuous free-kick beyond a helpless Paul Robinson.

The result lifted Spurs ahead of Newcastle United FC into fourth place on goal difference. One point back in sixth, Chelsea stretched their unbeaten run in the league to six matches after tearing through QPR. Daniel Sturridge opened the scoring with a long-range effort, before John Terry – sent off in midweek against FC Barcelona – made it two.

The rest of the afternoon belonged to Fernando Torres, whose sublime treble was complemented by Florent Malouda's late strike. Djibril Cissé scored a consolation for the visitors, who hover above the drop zone on goal difference.