Aaron Lennon scored his first goal for Tottenham to help conquer their away-day blues and keep them on course for a Champions League spot.

Robbie Keane added the second - his 11th goal of the campaign - to ensure Martin Jol's side moved back above Arsenal into fourth place in the Premiership.

Defeat piled on more misery for Birmingham who remain third from bottom but are now level on points with Portsmouth after their win over weakened West Ham.

Jermain Defoe, restored to the Spurs starting line-up in place of the injured Mido, impressed in front of watching England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson and was unlucky not to put his name on the score-sheet.

Tottenham's push for a place in Europe has been blighted by their form away from White Hart Lane and they had collected only one point from their previous four away games.

But they look to have the quality to sustain their challenge although they came up against a much- improved Birmingham, particularly in the opening 45 minutes.

There was little to choose between the sides in that initial period with Nicky Butt and Damien Johnson making their presence felt for the home side in midfield.

But Spurs stamped their authority on proceedings in the second 45 minutes with Jermaine Jenas and Michael Carrick, other contenders for Eriksson's World Cup squad, making their mark in midfield.

Michael Dawson also impressed at the heart of the Spurs defence.

Tottenham were first on the offensive and Stephen Kelly's through-ball for Defoe was only just over-hit as it ran through to Blues keeper Maik Taylor.

A fine piece of skill by Keane took him past Blues skipper Kenny Cunningham but, after reaching the by-line, his low centre was cut out by Taylor.

Tottenham dominated the early stages and Taylor was again called into action to cling onto a low free-kick from Michael Carrick which went through the defensive wall after Lennon had been brought down by Jamie Clapham.

But Birmingham weathered the early storm and their first chance fell to DJ Campbell whose low shot was deflected through to Spurs keeper Paul Robinson.

Dawson got a vital touch on a low cross from Emile Heskey which deflected it away from the lunge of the onrushing Campbell when he looked certain to score.

Jermaine Pennant's mazy run threatened to cause problems but he elected to chip the ball in the direction of Heskey rather than shoot and the danger was averted.

A Heskey flick-on almost picked out the run of Campbell but Kelly was alert to the situation and shepherded the ball back to Robinson while Lee was well positioned to deal with Lazaridis' cross.

The home side were more than holding their own but their Achilles heel this season has been a lack of fire-power and, when a Clapham ball played in Heskey, he miscontrolled and the ball ran through to Robinson.

Spurs failed to deal with an inswinging corner from Pennant and there was a scramble before Robinson smothered an attempt from a narrow angle by Heskey.

But in first half injury-time Mario Melchiot had to make a vital block to deny Keane at close range from Jermaine Jenas' cross.

Tottenham started to take control after the break and City keeper Maik Taylor had to turn a rising shot from Defoe over the bar after he had seized onto Keane's pass.

The visitors appealed in vain for a penalty when television replays suggested a goal-bound shot from Dawson struck the arm of Butt but referee Uriah Rennie waved play on.

Blues were forced into a substitution after 57 minutes when Heskey limped out of the action to be replaced by Mikael Forssell.

Defoe turned past Cunningham to create a half chance but his shot flew across the face of goal.

Cunningham, back in the home side after a groin injury, was struggling to contain the pace of Defoe and was yellow-carded for holding him back.

A misplaced back-pass from Johnson fell into the path of Defoe but Martin Taylor was alert to the danger and tidied up effectively.

Martin Taylor then made his presence felt at the other end of the pitch when his looping header from Pennant's corner was turned over the bar by Robinson.

But after 65 minutes Aaron Lennon scored his first goal for Tottenham since his summer move from Leeds.

Defoe was the creator, shrugging off the challenge of Melchiot and Cunningham before sending over a low cross which found its way to Lennon on the far side of the area.

The England under-21 international had time to cut the ball back onto his left foot before sending a low drive past Maik Taylor into the corner of the net.

The Blues fans decided Melchiot was the villain of the peace and booed the ex-Chelsea player every time he touched the ball after the goal.

Keane made sure of the points for Tottenham with 13 minutes remaining when he converted Jenas' inch-perfect pass.

Teams

Birmingham Maik Taylor, Melchiot, Martin Taylor, Cunningham,Clapham, Pennant, Johnson, Butt, Lazaridis (Kilkenny 81),Heskey (Forssell 57), Campbell.

Subs Not Used: Vaesen, Clemence, Tebily.

Booked: Cunningham, Butt.

Tottenham Robinson, Kelly, King, Dawson, Lee, Lennon, Carrick,Davids, Jenas, Keane (Murphy 78), Defoe.

Subs Not Used: Cerny, Tainio, Mido, Gardner.

Goals: Lennon 65, Keane 77.

Att: 26,398

Ref: U Rennie (S Yorkshire).