After three successive draws in the Barclays Premiership, the Addicks had slipped behind in what looks set to be a race to the wire for the final UEFA Cup berth.

But tonight's 2-0 win moved them above Middlesbrough and up into seventh place, level on points with Bolton, whom they still have to play here next month.

Two wins out of three had rekindled hope Martin Jol could guide his men into Europe at the end of what has been a transitional season at White Hart Lane, but despite having their chances - especially during the first half - Spurs could not find a way back into the match before Murphy's late strike put a positive result beyond them.

Charlton had taken the lead out of nothing in the fourth minute.

Murphy won the ball in the centre, and pushed it along to Paul Konchesky, who in turn fed Thomas on the left.

As Noe Pamarot backed off, the former Arsenal trainee touched the ball onto his right foot before promptly firing it into the top corner from 25 yards.

It was a stunning effort by the 21-year-old - but one which Spurs looked to immediately cancel out when Robbie Keane got on the end of a deep cross into the Charlton box from Andy Reid on the right touchline, but the Republic of Ireland striker guided his close-range header wide.

The visitors should have been level in the 15th minute.

Reid swung the ball into the Charlton area from the right, and his cross evaded everyone - including Fredi Kanoute, who somehow missed his kick when only two yards out at the back post.

On 25 minutes, Murphy found himself racing clear into the Spurs half.

With Shaun Bartlett in support, the former Liverpool man elected to dash on into the box, and attempted to lift the ball over the advancing Paul Robinson, only for Ledley King to deflect his effort inches wide.

It was then Spurs' turn to miss a one-on-one chance as Kanoute got in between the Charlton centre-backs.

The Frenchman stopped the ball with his first touch, but Dean Kiely was out quickly to spread himself and make a fine reaction block from the following snap shot, with Reid then spooning the rebound high and wide from a tight angle.

With five minutes of the first half left, Pamarot chopped down Thomas right in front of the assistant referee on the left touchline.

Chris Foy kept his cards in his pocket and the resulting free-kick into the penalty area was hacked clear.

At the start of the second period, Keane fashioned an opening for himself with some quick footwork on the edge of the area, but although his effort was well struck towards the centre of goal, Kiely got down to make a comfortable save.

Charlton were forced into a change after 53 minutes when Dennis Rommedahl went off with what looked like a hand injury after falling awkwardly, and was replaced by Jonatan Johansson.

Pamarot eventually tried the referee's patience once too often when tripping Thomas, and was shown the first yellow card of the evening.

As the match entered its final 30 minutes, Jol introduced Jermain Defoe, for Reto Ziegler, and the former Charlton junior received a less than warm welcome back from the supporters of the club he left as a teenager for West Ham in 1999.

Perry was penalised for a tackle from behind on the England striker in a dangerous, central position, 25 yards from the Charlton goal.

Reid's free-kick was well placed, beating both the wall and leaving Kiely rooted to the spot.

Bartlett was expertly positioned on the keeper's left-hand post to head the ball behind for a corner, which came to nothing.

There was some firm defending from the bolstered Charlton rearguard during the closing stages.

But the result was put beyond doubt with five minutes to go.

After being upended by Sean Davis, Murphy drilled over a 20-yard free-kick, which Robinson got a hand to but could only push into the net off the post.

The Charlton midfielder - who could have joined Tottenham in the summer - had secured what could prove to be three crucial points in Charlton's quest for European football.

Teams

Charlton: Kiely, Young, Perry, El Karkouri, Hreidarsson, Rommedahl (Johansson 53), Murphy, Holland, Konchesky, Thomas (Fish 76), Bartlett (Euell 71).

Subs Not Used: Jeffers, Andersen.

Booked: Euell.

Goals: Thomas 4, Murphy 85.

Tottenham: Robinson, Pamarot (Kelly 86), Gardner, King, Edman, Reid, Carrick (Davis 70), Brown, Ziegler (Defoe 60), Kanoute, Keane.

Subs Not Used: Cerny, Atouba.

Booked: Pamarot, Edman, Brown, Reid.

Att: 26,870

Ref: C Foy (Merseyside).