BURNLEY’S return to Turf Moor ended in disappointment as they were beaten by Tottenham Hotspur.

And with Hull City’s win over West Ham the Clarets have seen the gap to the bottom three cut to five points ahead of Tuesday’s Turf Moor clash with Stoke City.

Burnley were 10 clear recently but that seemingly comfortable cushion has now been halved and the Clarets face a crucial week with a trip to Middlesbrough coming next weekend.

It was a sedate first half at Turf Moor but it was one Burnley grew into and had the better of, although it was the visitors who missed the one golden chance.

Ashley Barnes headed a Matt Lowton cross into the ground and straight to Hugo Lloris early on and then midway through the half he headed wide from a Jeff Hendrick cross.

At the other end Tom Heaton showed safe hands to hold on to Toby Alderweireld’s ambitious 35-yard free-kick.

On the half hour Heaton did well to push Christian Eriksen’s effort from a tight angle away, but the ball fell to Dele Alli who looked certain to add the finishing touch, only to fire over from eight yards with the goal gaping.

Tottenham had been the better side early in the second half with Heaton forced into saves from Vincent Janssen and Ben Davies before the breakthrough arrived midway through the half.

Christian Eriksen’s corner should have been cleared by Jeff Hendrick but his tame attempt to get the ball away only sent it to Eric Dier who buried the chance from six yards.

Ten minutes later the advantage was doubled. Eriksen sent the ball over the top for Alli to escape down the right and he squared for Son Heung-Min to tap the ball home.