BLACKBURN Rovers slipped to the 19th in the Premier League table as their woes continued with defeat at Tottenham Hotspur.

Roman Pavlyuchenko was the Spurs match-winner, firing past Paul Robinson into the far corner after Aaron Lennon had earlier dispossessed Martin Olsson of the ball.

It was a miserable day for Rovers full-back Olsson, who was later dismissed in the first-half for two yellow card offences.

Rovers looked for a leveller, though, and Benni McCarthy stabbed over from a promising position when Spurs defenders expected an offside flag.

Roque Santa Cruz was left in attack on his own in the second-half, as Paul Ince replaced McCarthy with Danny Simpson at the interval.

The Paraguayan got on end of a free-kick during the early stages of the second period, but his header was straight at Tottenham goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes.

Spurs looked for a second and Tom Huddlestone curled an effort from 30 yards that went just over Robinson’s crossbar, while Andre Ooijer blocked when Darren Bent raced through.