Mark Hughes was critical of his Stoke City side's defensive efforts in Monday night's 4-0 defeat to Tottenham.

The Potters conceded to a Harry Kane strike inside 10 minutes at the Britannia Stadium before thrice giving up goals in the second half in what Hughes described as a performance well below what is expected at this level.

"I'm disappointed with what we produced obviously," Hughes told Sky Sports.

"We had some moments but defensively we were a million miles away from where we should have been, and good teams will pick you off. It's a given in the Premier League.

"The early goal is hurting us at the moment. We conceded an early goal in our last game, almost exactly the same time, and then you are chasing the game.

"It allows Tottenham to sit in and pick you off and use their power and pace. We found it difficult to cope with that, and they were very good on the break, as they have been all year.

"Defensively we need to tighten up a hell of a lot better than the last few games. We know what we need to do and we'll address that and be better next time out."

Kane added a second on 71 minutes after Dele Alli had made it 2-0 four minutes earlier before the midfielder rounded out the rout in the 82nd minute.