A Harry Kane double in front of England manager Roy Hodgson ensured Spurs climbed to sixth in the league as they beat Queens Park Rangers.

A header in the first half was coupled with a second half finish after rounding the keeper after superb ball from Ryan Mason.

Former player Sandro pulled a goal back for the hosts with 15 minutes to go but Spurs saw the game out to make it two wins in a row.

Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino decided to make just one change to his side that beat Swansea with Welsh full-back Ben Davies coming in for Danny Rose.

The away side could have hit the front early but for a wonderful reaction save from Rob Green.

Kyle Walker produced a swinging cross which Kane attacked at the front post but the former England stopper tipped the ball over the bar.

If Walker almost made the first goal at one end he was nearly culpable of letting QPR open the scoring with an attempted header back to Hugo Lloris finding Charlie Austin who tried to flick a shot past the Frenchman but the Spurs captain made a sharp stop to keep the scores level.

QPR were in the ascendancy and Austin rattled the woodwork with a thumping drive inside the box when he had time and space after 30 minutes.

The home side might have sensed they would open the scoring but it was Spurs who hit the front after 35 minutes and it was all too simple for the away side.

An in-swinging cross from Andros Townsend found Kane who beat Green to the ball to head home.

Spurs nearly doubled their lead just before half time as Walker’s shot deflected off Ryan Mason and Green had to get down low well to stop the shot trickling into the net.

A superb shot by Christian Eriksen from 25 yards was almost the perfect way to start the second half but his effort smashed the post.

Lloris was kept on his toes by the hosts and Bobby Zamora’s powerful volley drew another good save from the skipper.

This London derby was providing plenty of spice and the North London side nearly scored again on the hour as Eriksen’s shot was cleared off the line by Suk-Young Yun.

Kane then doubled his tally for the afternoon and Tottenham’s advantage after an elegant through ball by Mason as the QPR defence stood and watched Kane control the ball, round Green and slot home.

Questions were raised whether Spurs could see out matches after almost throwing away a win against Swansea in the week and that was put to the test once more as a former Tottenham man Sandro placed his shot from the edge of the box into the net with 15 minutes to go.

The pressure was on Spurs again as the home team threw everything at Pochettino’s side. Sub Junior Hoilett flashed a good chance over the crossbar with six minutes to play.

The lilywhites put together their best run of form over Christmas in a period where they did not have the burden of Europa League football.

Now out of Europe, Pochettino will be hopeful his side can put together a similar run which saw them lose just twice in two months and two wins in a row will keep the Spurs fans optimistic that fourth place is still in reach.

Spurs: Lloris, Walker, Vertonghen, Dier, Daives, Mason, Bentaleb, Townsend (Dembele 64’), Eriksen (Stambouli 87’), Chadli (Lamela 78’), Kane

Subs: Vorm, Rose, Soldado, Fazio

QPR: Green, Yun, Onouha, Caulker, Ferdinand, Isla (Hoilett 70’), Phillips, Henry (Grego-Cox 85’), Sandro (Wright-Phillips 90’), Zamora, Austin

Subs: McCarthy, Hill, Kranjcar, Comley