Tottenham bounced back from Champions League defeat in midweek thanks to a slice of luck and a moment of brilliance from Gareth Bale.
The winger was lucky to be in the right place for the first goal, but his sublime volley will surely be a contender for goal of the season.
Stoke manager Tony Pulis handed a debut to new signing Jonathan Walters in place of the injured Kenwyne Jones, and the striker had the first effort on goal, shooting into the arms of Tottenham goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes from 25 yards out.
Tottenham took the lead in the 19th minute in bizarre fashion. Aaron Lennon's chip into the area found an unmarked Bale.
His effort was saved by Thomas Sorensen, but the ball rebounded off Bale for Peter Crouch to head goalwards. Ryan Shawcross blocked Crouch's effort on the line, only for the ball to rebound off Bale and into the net.
Stoke were level just six minutes later. Matthew Etherington's corner from the right bounced off Tottenham defender Younes Kaboul at the back post into the path of Ricardo Fuller, who flicked the ball home.
But Bale put Tottenham back in front on the half hour. The Welshman was on the end of a chip from Lennon to curl a superb left-footed volley into the top corner.
Pulis changed to an attacking formation after the break, striker Tuncay replacing Glenn Whelan, and he had two chances in a minute to level the scores.
His shot from 25 yards took a wicked deflection off Kaboul, Gomes did well to tip over the bar. From the resulting corner, Tuncay found himself free at the back post but headed wide.
Stoke thought they'd equalised in the last minute when Gomes' punch cannoned off the bar to Walters, whose header was chested off the line by Crouch.
Referee Foy was right on the spot but waved away Stoke's protests.
Tottenham perhaps deserved victory on their first-half performance as Stoke struggled to cope with their quick passing and movement.
The result gives Tottenham their first win of the season, while Stoke remain pointless.