Martin Jol was able to field an unchanged line-up from last weekend's win over Wigan.
When Sunderland were awarded a free-kick a few yards outside the area following a Michael Dawson foul on Chris Brown in the 16th minute, Whitehead swung in a brilliant free-kick from 25 yards that ended up in the top right hand corner of the net.
Spurs equalised in the 37th minute after a productive exchange of passes between Keane and Stalteri that led to the striker firing across the six yard box from the right. Mido slid in on the low cross with an outstretched leg to divert the ball over the line from close range.
Five minutes into the second half a long punt forward was flicked on by Mido leading to a tangle between keeper Alnwick and Robbie Keane. The striker forced his way to knock the ball over the line for his first home goal of the season.
On the hour a long ball into the Tottenham area was well cushioned by Andy Gray who managed to direct the ball into the path of the advancing Anthony Le Tallec, a substitute for the ineffective Jon Stead. He seized on a loose ball and tucked it past Paul Robinson with a low shot into the bottom left hand corner. Teemu Tainio then headed powerfully against the post for Spurs from a Stalteri cross.
Jol introduced Aaron Lennon for Jenas in a bid to inject a little more attacking spark down the right flank. On 70 minutes a dart by the youngster led to Keane picking up the ball inside the area and his flick forward striking the hand of Breen. Keane himself stepped up to take the penalty only for Alnwick to turn the spot-kick away at full stretch.
On 77 minutes Carrick popped up with the winner their greater attacking efforts deserved. The midfielder took a corner on the right, and when the ball was played back to him after a clearance high up on the right, he surged into the area before dispatching a low sidefooted curler through a crowd of legs from the tightest of angles.
Spurs hung on to confirm victory, and the home fans cheered even more when they heard that rivals Arsenal had slipped up at Bolton, which allowed Tottenham to overtake them in the table.