Tottenham manager David Pleat praised his central defenders, even though strike duo Helder Postiga and Robbie Keane netted the goals to beat Liverpool.
Centre-backs Gary Doherty and Anthony Gardner were superb in keeping Emile Heskey and Michael Owen quiet as Spurs deservedly made it four successive wins by holding on despite Harry Kewell's scruffy strike near the end.
And there were also words of encouragement from Pleat to Postiga, who finally scored his first Premiership goal since his summer move from Porto.
"Postiga worked hard and he deserved his goal because he has been frustrated recently," Pleat said.
"He wants to be in the team and I can see from his body language that he is disappointed. Players like that go out for training and they have their hands in their pockets.
"All managers have that problem, but the players have to be patient. Sometimes they come from abroad at a young age and think they are going to make it straight away, but the Premiership is a tough place to play.
"Helder took his chance well. His football was good, his workrate was good and he didn't even complain when I took him off.
"Overall I think we deserved to win because of our battling qualities. We defended fantastically at times and I can only compliment my side on their attitude and determination.
"And I have told Anthony Gardner and Gary Doherty that when they go to bed they should think about each other, because they played so well together in partnership.
"Apart from a Michael Owen chance right at the start I don't think our goalkeeper was threatened and even Liverpool's goal had a bit of luck about it." Tottenham handed a debut in midfield to Michael Brown, who signed for the club from Sheffield United just before the New Year, but who had to wait for his first game due to suspension.
Ledley King was ruled out with an ankle injury and Freddie Kanoute was absent on international duty with Mali, so Postiga took his place alongside Keane up front.
For Liverpool, Steven Gerrard was still missing through injury and El-Hadji Diouf was unavailable due to international commitments.
Paul Jones, on loan from Southampton, continued in goal, even though Jerzy Dudek was fit enough to take a position on the bench. Jamie Carragher and Steve Finnan were also named as subs as manager Gerard Houllier was handed an injury boost.
However, it was pretty grim viewing for the Frenchman in the first half as his side turned in a ragged display and were justifiably behind at the break.
Keane, a constant thorn in the Liverpool side, won a 23rd minute penalty with a brilliant turn deep inside the box.
Gardner's ball caught Igor Biscan napping and Keane took full advantage by spinning on a sixpence and racing in towards goal. The Croatian defender attempted to make amends with a sliding challenge, but only succeeded in tripping the striker and referee Uriah Rennie had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.
Keane picked himself up and drilled the penalty low and hard to the left and beyond the dive of Jones to put Tottenham ahead.
Liverpool struggled to respond and could not get a foothold in the game as the Spurs midfield dominated. Brown looked impressive on his step up to the Premiership, while Darren Anderton snapped continuously at the heels of Danny Murphy and Dietmar Hamann.
The home side could have been further ahead at half-time, but Jones made a smart save low to his left after Postiga had jinked inside from the left and drilled in a shot from 20 yards.
Tottenham goalkeeper Kasey Keller was largely a bystander, although he made some important catches and punches as the visitors pumped aimless high balls into the box.
His only scare was as early as the fifth minute when Heskey flicked on a long goal-kick from Jones into space behind the Tottenham defence. Owen raced on to the ball and hit his first-time volley sweet and true, but his effort fizzed just wide of the post.
Apart from that, Tottenham's central defensive duo of Gardner and Doherty kept the England international well shackled, while Heskey also toiled in vain.
Tottenham brought Johnnie Jackson on for Stephane Dalmat at the break, but it did not disrupt their rhythm and within eight minutes of the restart they had doubled their lead.
Liverpool had been handed a warning when Postiga raced clear down the left hand side, but then blazed his 20 yard effort well over the bar.
But Houllier's side failed to learn from their mistake and gave the Portuguese international another chance soon afterwards thanks to another piece of woeful defending by Biscan.
He was caught completely out of position from a straightforward punt forward to allow Postiga a clear shot on goal from just 12 yards. And although the Tottenham striker's confidence has not been high since his big-money move in the summer, he smashed his shot into the net to claim his first Premiership goal.
Biscan was soon withdrawn as Finnan made his comeback from injury, while John Arne Riise replaced the disappointing Djimi Traore. However, it made little immediate impact as Tottenham maintained their stranglehold on the match.
But Kewell then gave Liverpool hope with a fortunate 74th minute goal following a rare purposeful run.
The Australian powered into the box, but his scuffed shot at first looked to pose no danger. But as the ball skimmed through a crowd of players, Keller was unsighted and the shot crept into the net at the near post.
That set up a grandstand finish as Liverpool finally raised their game and pegged the home side into their own half to pile on the pressure.
And the Merseysiders were furious that they were denied a last-minute penalty which could have provided them with the chance to claim an unlikely point.
The ball clearly struck Doherty on the hand as Owen tried to jink his way into the box, but ref Rennie was either unsighted or ruled that it was an accidental touch as he ignored the vociferous appeals.
But that would have been harsh on Tottenham who held on in the final frantic seconds to extend their 100 per cent record since the start of 2004.
Liverpool boss Houllier admitted: "In the last 20 minutes we responded, but before that it was not a performance to be proud of. We did not have very much fluency in our game.
"We conceded two goals due to defensive errors of judgement and lapses in concentration. I have no complaints about Tottenham's penalty because I thought that was right.
"We are not hiding behind anything. We did not play well and that was not just one player, but the whole team." However, Houllier was adamant that despite all that his side should have been awarded the late penalty, adding: "The referee got that one wrong.
"The ball did not just hit Doherty's hand, he put his hand to the ball. It was a deliberate handball in the area that stopped Owen running through on goal and that should be a penalty.
"My players told me that it was a deliberate move to stop the ball and I have also seen it again on TV and the video evidence proves it.
"Without any animosity, I told the referee that it should have been a penalty, but that does not change anything."