Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld said his side were spurred to victory over Middlesbrough on Saturday after Arsenal and Liverpool dropped points earlier in the day.
Arsenal's defeat to Chelsea and a loss for Liverpool at Hull meant second-placed Spurs moved three points clear of the Gunners and nine points behind leaders Chelsea.
Harry Kane's second-half penalty was enough to put Tottenham four points ahead of Liverpool, who they play at Anfield on Saturday.
"Other results gave us the feeling we could get more points than our opponents so it was important to get the three points today, especially with Liverpool away being our next game,'' Alderweireld told Tottenham's official website.