Spurs moved just three points off the top four with a win against struggling QPR at Loftus Road.

Brent & Kilburn Times: Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane (left) and Queens Park Rangers' Steven Caulker battle for the ball at Loftus RoadTottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane (left) and Queens Park Rangers' Steven Caulker battle for the ball at Loftus Road (Image: PA Wire/Press Association Images)

The prolific Harry Kane hit a brace to secure the three points for the visitors who were given a scare with 15 minutes remaining when Sandro scored his first QPR goal but Mauricio Pochettino’s held on to secure a massive victory as they look to secure a Champions League spot.

The match started with QPR straight on the attack, Charlie Austin’s shot was deflected into the path of Karl Henry who crossed to the back post for Zamora but he failed to hit the target.

With England boss Roy Hodgson looking on from the stands, Kane’s header from 5-yards out was superbly tipped over the bar by Rob Green in the QPR goal.

Spurs started to dominate possession with Nacer Chadli and Andros Townsend heavilly involved in a number of patient passing moves but the Rs defence stood firm against any crosses into the penalty area.

On 18 minutes Jan Vertongen raced forward but a poor touch let slip a good goalscoring chance after he was picked out by the lively Kane.

A terrible header from Kyle Walker was intercepted by Austin but his first time finish with the outside of his boot was saved by Lloris who then won a foot race to push the ball away from any further danger.

Again, a long ball forward caused problems for the Spurs back four and Austin’s touch fell into the path of Matt Phillips coming in off the left wing but he could only fire wide.

Phillips was now in the thick of the action and an inswinging cross from the left caused danger in the Spurs box but Austin and Zamora were unable to get on the end of his inviting delivery.

Eriksen was starting to find space in the hole behind Kane with his clever movement but it was former Spurs midfielder Sandro who had the next effort on goal when he got on the end of Zamora’s knock down but his effort lacked power and was eaily dealt with by Lloris.

Moments later Austin showed nice footwork to evade a challenge after collecting a pass from Phillips inside the penalty area but if left-footed strike crashed back off the crossbar and away to safety.

It was a let off for the visitors who on 32 minutes responded by scoring the first goal of the game through Kane.

Having been fouled by Yun Suk-Young, Kane got on the end of Townsend’s free kick to head into an empty net after Green came but didn’t get near the ball.

QPR then had a penalty appeal turned down after Mauricio Isla went crashing to the ground after clashing with Lloris following a clever chip over the top from Steven Caulker.

On the stroke of half time, a counter attack from Spurs ended in a shot from Kyle Walker which Green did well to save down to his right.

Spurs started the second half as they ended the first, on the attack, with Eriksen’s shot hitting the post and Kane failing to hit the target from the rebound.

A misplaced pass from Caulker was intercepted by the dangerous Townsend but the former QPR loan star smashed the ball wide.

A clever pass in behind the Spurs defence by Austin was chased by Phillips but the former Blackpool man was well tracked by Walker and from the resulting corner Spurs broke quickly with Eriksen’s effort rolling across the six-yard box and wide of the goal.

On 56 minutes a long punt forward from Green was won by Zamora and Lloris did well to save a powerful volley at his near post as Rangers tried to get back on level terms.

A superb ball from Kane slipped in Walker behind Suk-Young and from Walker’s pull back, Austin did well to clear Eriksen’s effort of the line.

Henry picked up the first booking of the game for a late foul on Ryan Mason and he was swiftly followed by Nabil Bentaleb who brought down Henry with a cynical foul.

On 65 minutes Spurs sent on Moussa Dembele in place of Andros Townsend. He was staright into the action and having been fouled by Henry, Eriksen’s free kick from 30-yards sailed wide of Green’s goal.

Three minutes later Kane grabbed his second after being picked out by Mason, he beat the offside trap before rounding Green and passing the ball into the back of the net for his 16th Premier League goal of the season.

QPR boss Chris Ramsey immediately sent on Junior Hoilett for Isla as the home side looked to get bak into the match.

On 75 minutes they did just that thanks to Sandro’s first goal for the club. The ever willing Austin pulled a cross back for Zamora, the big striker laid it back into the path of Sandro who passed the ball home past Lloris to make it 2-1.

Erik Lamela was then sent on in place of Chadli as the visitors looked to restore their two goal advantage will 11 minutes remaining of the 90.

Mason was the next player into the referee’s notebook after he was booked for pulling back Henry as he looked to break.

With six minutes to go, Hoilett cut in on the left but his shot sailed over the bar and Rangers continued to push for an equaliser.

QPR then sent on striker Reece Grego-Cox for his Premier League debut, replacing Henry and Spurs made their final substitution with Benjamin Stambouli replacing Christian Eriksen.

Four minutes were added on at the end of the 90 and as a last throw of the dice Shaun Wright-Phillips replaced Sando but the winger was unable to inspire a comeback as Spurs left west London with three vital points.