Published: 3 January, 2016
by DAN CARRIER
Premier League

EVERTON 1, SPURS 1

TOTTENHAM'S top-four adventure continued today (Sunday) as they scrapped their way to a 1-1 draw against Everton at Goodison Park

The result means Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino's charges are now three points clear of Manchester United in fifth place. 

Former Spurs winger Aaron Lennon hit a peach of an opener on 22 minutes for the home team, before 19-year-old Dele Alli underlined his extraordinary talent in his debut season in the Premiership with a wonderful equaliser on the stroke of half-time. 

Pochettino admitted afterwards that, despite being impressed with the effort his side made at the end of a packed Christmas schedule, he rued chances that could have sealed the win. 

"It was a great game and was very entertaining, but while I am pleased with the effort, I felt we dropped two points," he said.

"However, our first half was one of the best we have played so far."

Spurs, looking to close down the gap between themselves in fourth and Manchester City in third, started brightly. On eight, Harry Kane sent a low drive past Tim Howard in the Everton goal but watched the effort cannon back off the far post.

The visitors continued to press, enjoying plenty of the ball, but the breakthrough came from Everton. Lennon controlled a chest-down from team-mate Romelu Lukaku and fired a delightful volley home to give the Toffees the lead.

An equaliser nearly came on 29. Full-back Ben Davies received a drilled corner from Christian Eriksen, steadied himself and walloped a long-range effort against the bar.

With Spurs enjoying the lion's share of possession, a goal looked likely – and it came via a deft finish from man of the match Alli. The teenager gave Toffees defender John Stones the slip as Toby Alderweireld pumped a long ball forward. Alli took it down on his chest and tucked a shot home in added time.

Both sides traded blows in the second half, with Kane going close on 51 and Alli also trying his luck on 74. Everton, however, had a better second period and it took heroics from Hugo Lloris to keep out a brilliant volley from Muhamed Besic on 78, while Lukaku kept his Belgium team-mate Jan Vertonghen in Tottenham's defence busy as he fought for every ball. 

The draw leaves Spurs fourth – six points off Arsenal at the top. It was also the club's ninth game away unbeaten – Spurs' best run for 20 years – and cements Pochettino's side in a Champions League berth. 

"Our mentality is strong and we are ambitious," added Pochettino after the final whistle. "We should feel proud."

SPURS: Lloris, Davies, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Walker, Dier, Carroll, Alli (Chadli, 82), Lamela (Onomah, 87), Eriksen (Son, 68) Kane.

SPURS COMMENT by Dan Carrier

IT has been a fine first half of the 2015/16 season, but as the business end begins, it is vital Poch has the tools at his disposal to ensure Tottenham have the legs to keep up this level of performance. 

We have seen Spurs in similar positions under Harry Redknapp and Andres Villas-Boas, going into the New Year in the top four, but not having the squad available – or the guts to chop and change – when players need downtime. 

The manager has cover for the full-backs and depth in central defence. He can call on a returning Nabil Bentaleb and Ryan Mason to step in to the midfield. Poch needs to be brave enough to use them when needed.

Furthermore, today Harry Kane looked dog tired after 60 minutes. If there is any business to be done this January, it must be a Premiership-ready striker so he too can have a well deserved rest.