Jermain Defoe scored twice either side of a Gareth Bale strike while Andy Carroll netted a consolation header for the visitors in the 82nd minute as Spurs ended a run of three consecutive defeats.

"Yeah I think (it was a) very good performance. We have been chasing it for sometime," he said.

"You know a good solid 90-minute performance and we got it today. I think very deservedly. We had two difficult away fixtures before with Man City and Arsenal.

"So it was extremely important for us to get back to winning ways particularly against a team who have been doing well in a London derby."

Villas-Boas singled out Defoe for special praise.

"Yeah he's an incredible striker. I mean his moment of form is absolutely immense," he said.

I think he is enjoying his football. When we see the strikers of this nature and their hunger for goals is what you need and what you request from a striker.

"We have been getting exactly that so at the moment we have all positive things to say about it."