After a disappointing showing against Fulham, Spurs had a point to prove as they welcomed Luton Town FC to Tottenham after a long hiatus.
It was to be a difficult afternoon for Tottenham, who sat in fifth, three points off Aston Villa but with a game in hand.
The visitors were in rapture after two minutes when Tahith Chong slotted home after a break down the right. Dejan Kulusevski had fluffed a chance to create something at the other end, Heung-Min Son slipped and Luton were off, finding it far too easy work their way into the box.
Spurs responded well, with Timo Werner the driving force, playing Son through, crossing for Pape Matar Sarr and feeding Kulusevski in quick succession. Minutes later he made the wrong decision when, played through with a punt over the top he opted to twist outside and shoot rather than playing in Destiny Udogie, who was free in the middle.
The best chance came when Son rounded the keeper, only to see his shot rebound off one post and then another before Werner and Sarr both had shots blocked by defenders.
Spurs kept attacking but nothing would come off. Son failed to pick a pass given all the time in the world, while Udogie put an inch-perfect cross in but there was no striker there.
Towards the end of the first half, Spurs ratcheted up the pressure, with crosses and through balls flying in, but the Luton defence was resolute.
Ange Postecoglou made a half-time change, bringing on Brennan Johnson for Kulusevski. He was involved immediately, teeing up Son for a shot that was blocked and then it was his cross that created the own goal by Issa Kabore after 50 minutes.
Spurs continued to press and Postecoglou brought on fresh legs with Rodrigo Bentancur and Giovani Lo Celso coming on for Maddison and Sarr with 20 minutes to go.
The 85th minute saw the return of Richarlison, on for Yves Bissouma as the home team hunted a winner.
A minute later it was Son who broke the deadlock, charging downfield, playing out to Werner and benefitting from Johnson's layoff. This time he found the net.
It was what fans expect from him and was his final contribution, with Pierre-Emile Hijbjerg on to see out the game.
It was a game with lots of Spurs pressure but some fans managed to turn their back on it at 65 minutes in protest over the removal of season tickets concessions for over-65s by the club.
5. Pedro Porro (5)
Put in a vital block later in the first half and in the second will have been disappointed to blaze his shot over. | AFP via Getty Images Photo: BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images
6. Dejan Kulusevski (4)
While Kulusevski's workrate could not be faulted, he was unable to play a decisive role as Spurs piled on the pressure and was substituted at half time. | Getty Images Photo: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
7. Radu Dragusin (5)
The Romanian, in for Micky van de Ven, who is recovering from an injury, is still finding his way into the Premier League. He's muscular presence but Spurs missed the Dutchman's pace and reading of the game. | AFP via Getty Images Photo: BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images
8. Pape Matar Sarr (5)
The young midfielder is full of energy and made a great run down the left in the first half to put in a cross. How not one of Son, Sarr or Werner's shots went in during the first half scramble is a mystery. | Getty Images Photo: Alex Pantling/Getty Images