TheSportsCampus

An entertaining clash between two teams at opposite ends of the Premiership Table saw Everton and Tottenham play out a thrilling 2-2 draw at Goodison Park on Sunday night. The first half had ended goalless and Spurs had taken a 2-0 lead early in the second with Jermain Defoe and Michael Dawson finding the back of the net with ease. But a late Everton fightback courtesy of goals from Louis Saha and Tim Cahill meant that both sides had to settle for a solitary point.

David Moyes changed his defensive line-up for this game, bringing in Lucas Neill at right back and moving Tony Hibbert into the center of defence  to play alongside Joseph Yobo. Hibbert was given the enormous task of keeping Jermain Defoe quit in the absence of the injured Sylvain Distin. The attack minded players were the same as the game against Liverpool last week. Jo started upfront and was supported by Tim Cahill, Diniyar Bilyaletdinov and Steven Pienaar, while Marouane Fellaini was once again the key man for the Toffees as far as winning the aerial battles.

For Spurs Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch continued to be the preferred strike partnership leaving club captain Robbie Keane once again warming the bench. Aaron Lennon and Niko Kranjcar were patrolling the wings, with Tom Huddlestone linking up the play from the middle of the park. Sebastien Bassong and Michael Dawson formed the centre back partnership for Harry Redknapp's men.

The only major highlight in the first quarter of an hour was Yobo's injury in the 15th minute. David Moyes' injury woes were compounded when the Nigerian international limped off to be replaced by young right-back Seamus Coleman, Lucas Neill shifting into the middle of defence alongside HIbbet (three right-backs on the pitch for Everton!). Jo had a great opportunity in the 26th minute when Jack Rodwell's chipped an exquisite ball to the feet of the Brazilian, but, he dragged his shot on the turn wide. Everton were dominating during this period but failed to capitalize.

Tottenham's first chance of any note came just after the half hour mark when Kranjcar played in Defoe. The Englishman would have been disappointed with his effort from just outside the 6 yard box considering the kind of form he has been in lately. There was no goal mouth action in the remaining time as a rather dull first half ended goalless.

Tottenham scored almost immediately after the restart through Defoe. Lennon curled in a sublime cross from the right flank (his third masterpiece of the night) to which Defoe stuck out a leg and calmly finished into the roof of the net. The Londoners doubled their advantage in the 59th minute courtesy of Michael Dawson's diving header from a corner, Neill guilty of paying too much attention to his man, and none to the ball.

Substitute Louis Saha gave Everton's comeback chances a major boost when he scored from close range in the 78th minute after good work down the right by line by Coleman. Bilyaletdinov almost completed the comeback 3 minutes later but his grounded effort from just inside the area went the wrong side of the far post.

Tim Cahill was the hero for Everton as he levelled proceedings in the 86th minute. The Aussie stooped low to head Baines' shot cum cross into the back of the net after another good cross from Coleman had sneaked its way past everyone.

Tottenham had a great chance to win the game in stoppage time when Tony Hibbert fouled Wilson Palacios inside the Everton penalty area and the referee had no choice but to blow his whistle for a penalty. But Tim Howard dived to his right and kept out Defoe's powerful spot kick with his legs to ensure that the score remained 2-2.

Tottenham ended a game they really should have won with just a point to show for their efforts, and will rue the fact that they let fierce rivals Arsenal sneak back above them in the Premiership table this weekend. The draw is an important one for Everton, taking them a little further clear of the relegation zone to 15th in the League. Their joy however could be shortlived as they next make the trip to Stamford Bridge where Chelsea have been imperious this season. Chelsea have a 100% home record and have scored 20 goals and conceded just 1 in 7 league games so far this season.

In the earlier game on Sunday, Fulham beat Sunderland 1-0 courtesy of Bobby Zamora's 6th Premier League goal in the 7th minute of the match. The win moved the Cottagers up into 8th place in the standings.

Team News:

Everton: Howard, Neill, Hibbert, Yobo, Baines, Pienaar, Rodwell, Fellaini, Bilyaletdinov, Cahill, Jo.
Subs: Nash, Saha, Yakubu, Coleman, Duffy, Agard, Baxter.
Tottenham: Gomes, Corluka, Bassong, Dawson, Assou-Ekotto, Lennon, Huddlestone, Palacios, Kranjcar, Defoe, Crouch.
Subs: Alnwick, Hutton, Bale, Bentley, Jenas, Pavlyuchenko, Keane.

FINAL SCORES:

Everton 2-2 Tottenham

Fulham 1-0 Sunderland

File Photograph Copyright: Barry Zee

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