Watford 1-4 Tottenham Hotspur

Harry Kane beat two Watford defenders to the ball to volley home his second

Harry Kane and Dele Alli scored two goals apiece as Tottenham thrashed lacklustre Watford to move into the Premier League's top four for the first time since October.

Spurs dominated from the off at Vicarage Road - having 13 shots in the first half alone - and seconds after Alli struck the bar, Kane coolly finished a well-weighted Kieran Trippier pass.

The same duo combined for the second, Kane stealing between two static defenders to prod home Trippier's fine cross from six yards.

It was the England striker's 59th goal in his first 100 Premier League appearances, matching Arsenal legend Thierry Henry.

Alli made it 3-0 by passing low into the net after Younes Kaboul skewed the ball into his path, then arrived unmarked to finish Kane's cross for his fifth goal in three matches.

Watford, who did not have a shot on target until Kaboul bundled home a late consolation, drop to 13th having won just once in seven matches.

Spurs' fourth successive win briefly took them third, before Arsenal moved back ahead of them with victory over Crystal Palace.

Relive Tottenham's hammering of Watford

Spurs show Double-winning touch

Alli's goals came on an otherwise quiet day for the midfielder, who only had 33 touches and completed just 56% of his passes

Having won at Southampton by the same scoreline on Wednesday, Tottenham have scored four goals in consecutive away games for the first time since October 1960 - the season they did the Double.

Their 10-point deficit on leaders Chelsea, whom they host on Wednesday, will temper any title talk, but there can be no doubt Spurs are in menacing mood.

Trippier, in for the suspended Kyle Walker, impressed on just his third league appearance of the season and underlined the strength in depth at White Hart Lane.

Tottenham repeatedly used Kieran Trippier on the right flank, and his early quality was telling

The former Burnley player was a constant outlet - having more than 100 touches - and his early assists allowed Kane to show the ruthlessness of his finishing.

Had Son Heung-Min been more clinical with any of his five shots, the damage could have been worse.

But boss Mauricio Pochettino will be thrilled with a 100% record over a busy festive period in which his side secured their first league away wins since September.

What's happened to Watford and Ighalo?

Ighalo has one league goal this season, 12 fewer than at the same stage in 2015-16

It is easy to praise Tottenham, but Watford's early defensive offering was non-existent.

Manager Walter Mazzarri has stressed he will use the transfer window to find cover for as many as eight first-teamers out injured.

But his side can have no excuse for their dire defensive work against Spurs - the third time this season they have been three goals down at half-time.

With 34 goals conceded, 14 more than at this stage last season, holes at the back need plugging urgently, but there are also problems at the other end of the pitch.

Odion Ighalo, drafted in after Camilo Zuniga limped out of the warm-up, was peripheral, with just 23 touches, only two more than 68th-minute Spurs substitute Ben Davies. He and Troy Deeney have contributed 10 goals between them this season, 14 fewer than at the same stage in 2015-16.

The Hornets next face Stoke and Middlesbrough. Their fans could be looking over their shoulders at the bottom three by mid-January, unless they can find some form.

Kane loves New Year's Day - stats

Kane had limited thinking time but lifted the ball over former Spurs keeper Heurelho Gomes for his first goal

• No player has been involved in more Premier League goals on New Year's Day than Harry Kane's six ( four goals and two assists) - level with Andrew Cole and Steven Gerrard (both five goals and one assist)

• Spurs were three goals up at half-time for the first time in a Premier League away game since March 1997 v Sunderland

• This was the first time the Hornets had let in four goals in a Premier League game at Vicarage Road

• Watford have never beaten Tottenham in a Premier League match, drawing twice and losing five

'One of the best this season' - manager quotes

Watford manager Walter Mazzarri: "Zuniga was the 10th player to get injured, five or six are starting 11, we had four under-23s in the 18 players that we brought today. Unfortunately this is the situation."

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino: "We played very good, to a very high standard. The first half was one of the best we've played this season. I'm very happy because it was a difficult game, and the team responded."

Man of the match - Harry Kane

Kane showed composure for his first, desire to convert his second and the presence of mind to pick out Alli for Tottenham's fourth goal. He made Watford's defenders pay heavily for what was undeniably a poor showing.

What next?

Tottenham will try to end Chelsea's 13-game winning streak when they host Antonio Conte's side in a 20:00 GMT kick-off on Wednesday. Watford have a day less to recover as they travel to Stoke for a 20:00 GMT kick-off on Tuesday.