HARRY KEWELL'S first Liverpool goal for 13 months gave the Anfield men their eighth successive Premiership home win. The Aussie lashed home in the second half, while Tottenham had defender Paul Stalteri sent off for tripping the winger when he was clear three minutes from time.

Spurs produced an impressive performance, but it was Liverpool who had the killer touch against a side who, despite plenty of possession, failed to really test goalkeeper Jose Reina.

Spurs started full of confidence with crisp passing and movement, Michael Carrick from deep and Edgar Davids strong in midfield. But it was Liverpool who created the first chance when Peter Crouch met a Steven Gerrard free-kick on the far post and saw Paul Robinson produce an outstanding eighth-minute block.

Fernando Morientes was the next to almost profit from another Gerrard delivery from the right before Spurs responded with a Michael Dawson header wide from Carrick's 12th- minute freekick.

Spurs kept possession well, were quicker about their work than Liverpool and had the majority of territorial play.

Gerrard was switched to the left with Mohamed Sissoko out on the right in an attempt to stop Spurs' flow and control of midfield.

Liverpool had been allowed limited opportunities in the opening spell, but Morientes, with a looping header from Steve Finnan's 31st-minute cross, saw the effort bounce onto the bar and drop for Crouch, but his hook was easily held by Robinson.

Gerrard saw a curling freekick from the left cleared almost off the line by Dawson, but with Carrick and Jermaine Jenas finding space with ease, it was Spurs who still held the initiative. Liverpool needed to be better in possession and quicker moving the ball, Sissoko and Harry Kewell being caught too often.

Spurs should have taken the lead inside a minute of the restart when John Arne Riise missed a ball down the right to let in Jenas for a run and low cross into an unguarded box. But Robbie Keane managed to shoot wide from 10 yards with the goal at his mercy. Spurs had clearly decided to attack Riise and produced another free-kick in that area, which cost Liverpool a corner. And when the set piece was only partially cleared, Teemu Tainio saw a swerving 20 yarder go just wide.

Liverpool hit back when a Gerrard corner on 55 minutes was met by a Crouch header than forced Robinson into a flying save to his left.

Robinson then held a 20yarder from Gerrard two minutes later.

Then Kewell produced what will be one of the goals of the season, on 58 minutes.

Steve Finnan lifted a cross from the right to way beyond the far post and the Australia arrived perfectly the lash a stunning volley past a helpless Robinson. It was the winger's first goal for Liverpool since December 2004.

Spurs looked to hit back, forcing Liverpool deep. They visitors kept coming forward but were caught on the break when Riise sent Kewell racing away into Spurs' half. Stalteri clipped the winger's heels and was promptly sent off by referee Dermot Gallagher.

Robinson saved superbly from Sissoko with a minute left, and Liverpool pressed for their second. It never came but one was enough.