They are not the words that would first spring to mind when describing this excellent season in the Premier League, but the characteristics needed on a night like this.
Led by another stand-out display from Scott Parker, the team stood firm as Liverpool, willed on by the noisy Kop, got on top in the latter stages.
Liverpool had chances – notably when Andy Carroll lashed over and Luiz Suarez headed straight at Brad Friedel – but we could have grabbed all three points five minutes from time.
Niko Kranjcar picked out Gareth Bale’s run and as the home side looked for a flag, the Welsh flyer sprinted clear. Pepe Reina stood between him and another famous goal but the goalkeeper won this duel, saving low to his left.
A point was more than satisfactory though as we made it just two defeats in our last 22 matches in the Premier League, maintaining third place.
The team saw two changes from the win against Wigan with Dawson back for the injured Younes Kaboul and Jake Livermore in for Rafa van der Vaart.
Jermain Defoe, Aaron Lennon, Sandro and William Gallas were also out of action.
Chances were at a premium in the first half.
Steven Gerrard and Craig Bellamy hit free-kicks into the wall and Kranjcar tested Reina from 25 yards.
There were two quickfire chances for both teams in the final five minutes of the half.
Friedel turned away Johnson’s inswinging cross and then blocked the same player’s 20-yarder with his feet.
In-between, Bale did well to turn Kyle Walker’s cross on target and the full-back then burst between Johnson and Bellamy, but his shot was deflected wide.
The second half followed a similar pattern before really taking off on the hour.
Friedel was at full stretch to palm away Martin Kelly’s piledriver before Carroll met Gerrard’s corner but could only head straight at Friedel.
Suarez was soon into the fray, lifting the noise levels up a decible.
Bale, popping up all over the pitch, fired a snapshot? wide in the 72nd minute and then another chance for Carroll, his best, as Skrtel failed to connect with Kelly’s cross, the striker controlled but lashed over from 10 yards.
Bale’s chance followed with five minutes left and we were almost left to rue it three minutes from time. The script was written for Suarez, who met Gerrard’s free-kick 10 yards out – but headed straight at Friedel.
Liverpool (4-3-3): Reina; Johnson, Agger, Skrtel, Kelly; Adam, Gerrard, Spearing; Bellamy (Downing, 73), Carroll, Kuyt (Suarez, 66). Unused subs – Doni, Aurelio, Carragher, Coates, Henderson.
Spurs (4-2-3-1): Friedel; Walker, Dawson, King, Assou-Ekotto; Livermore, Parker; Kranjcar (Rose, 87), Modric, Bale; Adebayor (Saha, 72). Unused subs – Cudicini, Khumalo, Nelsen, Luongo, Lancaster.
Attendance: 44,461.
Referee: Mr M Oliver.
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