The visitors stunned White Hart Lane by taking the lead in the third minute of Tuesday night's Premier League clash, with Mikel Arteta's superb free-kick from the right finding the head of Lescott who powered his effort past Paul Robinson from close range. Martin Jol's men deservedly drew level in the 27th minute when a Jermaine Jenas corner found an unmarked Anthony Gardner who thumped a downward header beyond Howard. Everton restored their advantage eight minutes before half-time when Arteta's searching cross to the back post was superbly cleared by Ricardo Rocha but only to the feet of Osman who smashed home from 10 yards. Things got worse for the home side when the Toffees grabbed their third just before the break when Stubbs' 25-yard free-kick took a deflection off Didier Zokora and arrowed into the bottom right-hand corner of Robinson's goal. Spurs were desperately unlucky not to pull a goal back within three minutes of the restart when Dimitar Berbatov's superb header from Pascal Chimbonda's cross flew back off the woodwork. Jol turned to Jermain Defoe from the bench on the hour mark, with Bent the man to make way as Spurs looked for a route back into the game. Defoe was unlucky not to pull a goal back with 12 minutes to go but his volley at the far post from Chimbonda's centre was brilliantly saved at his near post by Howard. Robinson produced a stunning stop to deny Andrew Johnson late on as Everton comfortably held out to make it two wins out of two, but for Spurs a home win over Derby will be a must come Saturday. |
With Newcastle's fixture with Arsenal put back because of the Gunner's involvement in Europe, the door was open for someone to take advantage.