By Rhys Lewis
October 17 2005

Everton slipped to their seventh defeat in eight league games against Spurs at White Hart Lane on Saturday as David Moyes saw his side lose 2-0 for the fourth time this season. It was arguably one of Everton's best performances this season but once again Everton came away from the game without a point or even a goal. It did however start quite brightly for Everton with the first opening of the match coming for the blues. It came after some smart work from James McFadden beating Jenas, Dawson and then Stalteri before forcing a good save from the England International Paul Robinson. Spurs' best chances of the half fell to Michael Dawson who saw one header saved well by Martyn then his next header cleared off the line by Nuno Valente. As the half time whistle blew the Everton camp will have been extremely satisfied with how things were going as there was little between the two teams and Everton were looking united and solid.

The second half began in similar vein to the first half with neither side looking very threatening. However that all changed in the 56th minute when Mido gave Spurs the lead. Joseph Yobo gave the ball away in the middle of the pitch then was unable to get back sufficiently to put Mido off as he headed home past Nigel Martyn. From then on you could see the Everton heads dropped. They felt the game was over and their was no chance of getting back into the match. This was proven correct just 8 minutes later as Jermaine Jenas took advantage of some slack Everton marking after some good work on the left from Defoe to head home an easy chance to virtually kill the game off. Everton had a couple of late openings, first Duncan Ferguson had a header well saved from Robinson but they big Scot should have scored with it. Also James Beattie had a header flash past the post.

Overall the performance was better and more chances were created. However the worrying factor was there werent many clear chances created still no goals. That an the fact that next up is Chelsea.......

Ratings, Spurs; Robinson 7, Stalteri 5, Dawson 7, King 7, Lee 6, Lennon 7, Carrick 6, Jenas 6, Davids 8, Defoe 6, Mido 7.

Ratings, Everton; Martyn 6, Ferrari 6, Yobo 7, Weir 6, Valente 6, Davies 6, Neville 6, Kilbane 6, McFadden 7, Cahill 5, Bent 6. Subs; Ferguson 6, Beattie 6, Osman 6.