Kudus picked out the bottom-right corner with a brilliant finish in the 57th minute, netting his first goal for Spurs, and capping a sublime individual display having also assisted Mathys Tel for the game's opening goal.

But the visitors started poorly, with former Tottenham man Joe Rodon heading Sean Longstaff's free-kick against the post after Guglielmo Vicario misjudged the flight of the ball.

However, Leeds was behind in the 23rd minute when Tel beat Karl Darlow at his near post after a deflection from Pascal Struijk on its way into the net.

Leeds restored parity 11 minutes before half-time through Noah Okafor, who finished from close range after Vicario parried Brenden Aaronson's initial effort into his path.

Tel then came close to adding to Tottenham's tally in first-half stoppage-time, but his towering header from Wilson Odobert's cross into the box clattered against the crossbar. 

But Tottenham edged in front just before the hour through Kudus, who got the better of Gabriel Gudmundsson on the right-hand side before flashing an inch-perfect shot past a wrong-footed Darlow.

Leeds pushed for an equaliser and almost found it in second-half stoppage-time, but Joel Piroe's goal-bound attempt was brilliantly saved by Vicario, with Tottenham weathering the storm to seal a huge victory.

Spurs boss Thomas Frank praised his side's mentality and character after the win, which snapped a two-game drawing streak for Spurs.

"We knew it would be difficult. I actually think our performance was very good," Frank said.

"I think until the 80th minute we were in as much control as you can be in a Premier League away game.

"I think the mentality and character in any team is the major foundation if you want to achieve great things.

"The core of any great team is the mentality and the character."

Leeds had 16 shots to Spurs' nine, but lacked the clinical touch when it mattered.

"My lads were the better side today. We dominated in all aspects and deserved the three points," frustrated boss Farke said.

"It was a really top performance, and an unlucky result against a top side."