On a day that was all about the race for fourth place in the Premier League it is a case of as you were as Tottenham and Manchester City both recorded maximum hauls as Bolton and Aston Villa were seen off on home soil.

Tom Huddlestone's dream of a strike saw Spurs beat a spirited Bolton in North London, while over at Eastlands, City usurped Villa in fifth place as they came from behind to beat Martin O'Neill's side 3-1.

At St Andrews a dead-rubber of a game went in Birmingham's favour, as they ensured Burnley picked up the most unwelcome of top flight records courtesy of a 2-1 defeat on their travels.

Portsmouth continue to warm up for the FA Cup final nicely as they proved too strong for Wolves in recording a 3-1 win, while at the Britannia Stadium it was a game to forget as Stoke and Everton played out a goalless stalemate.

It was hardly a classic which ensued at White Hart Lane between Tottenham and Bolton but Harry Redknapp will care not one iota as his side kept alive the slimmest of advantages they hold in fourth place.

Indeed, Huddlestone's majestic winner on 38 minutes was out of keeping with much of what had preceded it as he rasped the proverbial screamer past Jussi Jaaskelainen into the top corner from a full 25 yards.

Bolton pressed for an equaliser in the early second half sparring before Jermain Defoe went agonisingly close with a curling effort and Gareth Bale was denied by a wondrous Jaaskelainen save.

Manchester City were quick out of the traps at Eastlands but it was Aston Villa that struck first, very much against the run of play, when in the 16th minute John Carew peeled off Kolo Toure to angle Stewart Downing's clever reverse ball through the legs of debutant Marton Fulop for his 17th goal of the season.

As City strove for a leveller Stephen Warnock survived a penalty shout when he blocked Carlos Tevez's drive with his hands, while on the counter-attack, Villa showed plenty of attacking intent of their own.

Referee Mark Clattenburg at least partially atoned for his earlier call when with four minutes of the opening period remaining he was left with little other choice but to point to the spot, when Adam Johnson tempted Warnock into an unnecessary lunge in the box. Tevez kept his nerve to drive his low spot-kick through Brad Friedel.

Carew then nearly restored Villa's lead with a crashing drive on the turn that smacked the bar and fell to safety.

But it got even better for City on the stroke of half-time when the impressive, forever jinking Johnson did well again down the right before teeing up Emmanuel Adebayor from six yards to beat Friedel, who may just feel disappointed he failed to keep the ball out despite getting a strong hand to it.

A see-saw of a game ensued in the second period as both sides had further chances to trouble the scoresheet, with the increasingly dangerous Ashley Young drawing an excellent stop from Fulop.

It was Craig Bellamy that had the final say at the death though as he found a sumptuous curling finish to beat Friedel - and end Villa's forlorn hopes of fourth - from substitute Shaun Wright-Phillips' bright run and pass.

Burnley made history at St Andrews but for all the wrong reasons as they chalked up their 17th away defeat of the season - a new Premier League record.

Birmingham signed off an altogether more agreeable campaign with a win courtesy of two first-half goals that in many ways summed up Burnley's defensive frailties that have haunted them all season.

Brian Jensen was credited with the first on the half-hour mark as Lee Bowyer's cross took a nick off Tyrone Mears before going in off the legs of the big Dane.

With Burnley in disarray at the back Roger Johnson was then left free at the back post from a set-piece to nod the ball back across goal for Christian Benitez to bundle in off his chest from close range.

The second half was a bit of a non-event as Burnley substitute Steven Thompson scored a late consolation with a cool finish after being presented with a one-on-one with Joe Hart.

At Fratton Park it was a case of Wolves being caught cold from a set-piece as Portsmouth's Aruna Dindane was allowed the freedom of the box to nod Michael Brown's clipped delivery beyond Marcus Hahnemann in the 20th minute.

David James came to Portsmouth's rescue a number of times before he could do little, despite his heroic attempts, to keep out Kevin Doyle's leveller. After denying Ronald Zubar's initial header he then repelled Doyle's rebound from close range but was powerless to prevent the Irishman from stabbing home his eighth league goal of the season, when the ball fell invitingly to him for a second time.

No sooner had Wolves levelled were Portsmouth back in the lead as with five minutes of the opening period left, John Utaka cut inside from the right and with his left foot beat Hahnemann at his near post courtesy of a low drive.

Portsmouth ensured they signed off the most difficult of campaigns in some style when Brown conjured a neat finish that flashed past Hahnemann low into the far post.

Rory Delap had a glorious chance to give Stoke an early second half lead at home to Everton but pulled his shot horribly wide when presented with a gilt-edged opportunity when found free no more than eight yards from goal via Matthew Etherington's low cross.

As Everton pressed to keep their European bid on track, Phil Jagielka peeled away in celebration as he thought he had headed in at a corner - only to see a linesman's flag rule it out amid widespread confusion.