An early own goal and four strikes in 15 minutes in a rampant second half, including two for Frank Lampard, did the job for Chelsea, who lost their last league game at Aston Villa but now top the standings again on 24 points.
Glenn Whelan's superb 86th-minute goal secured Stoke their first away win of the season and first at White Hart Lane since 1975.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Burnley's 100 percent home record ended with a 3-1 defeat by Wigan Athletic and Sunderland's good run was halted by a 2-1 loss at Birmingham City.
Wolverhampton Wanderers and Aston Villa drew 1-1 at Molineux while Hull City and Portsmouth produced a dire goalless draw.
GOOD SAVES
Paul Robinson made some good saves to keep Chelsea at bay in a one-sided first half but he was helpless to keep out Lampard's shot and should have done better when beaten by Michael Essien's 30-metre effort early in the second.
"We had to work for it, they're a very difficult team to play against," Lampard told ESPN. "But once we pushed on in the second half that was it.
"I think everyone knows what Cole brings. He's something different, he runs with the ball, he can create something out of nothing. He's a different class."
"We've got good group of lads, they all work hard, they all have a go and we know that's a great three points today," Stoke manager Tony Pulis told Sky Sports News.
Spurs manager Harry Redknapp told BBC Radio: "They defended for their lives and did it well and we just couldn't get a break. We had three or four kicked off the line, hit the post and their keeper had a great day but with 10 men that last 15 minutes was difficult."
