Everton fight back to draw with Spurs

Tottenham squandered a two-goal lead as manager Harry Redknapp's belief that they are a genuine threat to the alliance of the Premier League's Big Four took a knock when Everton produced a dramatic comeback in a 2-2 draw at Goodison Park.

Jermain Defoe scored his 12th league goal of the season to return to the top of the scoring charts, while Michael Dawson doubled Spurs' lead with his second goal in as many games. Substitute Louis Saha gave Everton hope with his ninth of the season before Tim Cahill struck to grab a share of the points.

Defoe had the chance to snatch a late victory in injury time from the penalty spot, but his effort was saved by goalkeeper Tim Howard.

The draw means Everton put an end to their run of three straight defeats and moves them three points above the relegation zone, while Spurs missed the chance to move back above local rivals Arsenal into third place.

The first half had remained goalless but both sides had their chances as Peter Crouch and Defoe wasted opportunities for Spurs, while Everton exposed visiting left-back Benoit Assou-Ekotto on several occasions.

Tottenham came storming at injury-hit Everton following half-time and duly took the lead two minutes after the break when the superb Aaron Lennon crossed for Defoe to side-foot a half-volley past Howard for his 12th league goal of the season.

David Moyes' strugglers regretted slack play by makeshift centre-back Tony Hibbert at the opener but it was Lucas Neill, who moved centrally after Joseph Yobo limped off in the first half, at fault when Dawson headed home Niko Kranjcar's 59th minute corner.

However, Everton, who broke the cartel at the table's summit in 2005, created a thrilling finale as Saha converted an excellent 78th minute assist from Yobo's impressive replacement Seamus Coleman, before Cahill equalised with four minutes to play.

There was still to be another remarkable twist as Hibbert floored Wilson Palacios with a body check inside the 18-yard area in time added on, but Howard was the hero as he saved Defoe's poorly-taken penalty.

Moyes' side, ravaged by a lengthening injury list, are three points above the relegation zone with little prospect of seeing their major stars return before the New Year.

Things started to deteriorate for the hosts after Crouch had fired over when well placed and Howard had denied Defoe's shot when he cut inside Hibbert.

Inexplicable
The Toffees had obviously pressed Yobo into service when he was not fully fit - having missed the midweek Europa League win with a hamstring injury - and in the 15th minute he was replaced by 21-year-old Coleman, making only his second league appearance.

Jack Rodwell, back after a groin strain, was then booked by referee Andre Marriner for a late tackle on Kranjcar despite appearing to get the ball first.

On-loan Manchester City striker Jo continues to frustrate Everton fans and he showed why within the space of a couple of minutes midway through the half.

First he fired a low snap-shot from the left of the penalty area just past the far post before inexplicably getting his legs in a tangle six yards out and bundling wide Steven Pienaar's perfect cross.

Everton continued to give it their all, however, and Dawson was booked for bringing down Cahill before Leighton Baines curled in a free-kick which had Heurelho Gomes diving to his left.

But Defoe remained a danger and when Palacios and Kranjcar combined through the inside-right channel the striker whipped a shot inches outside the far post.

In the 36th minute Assou-Ekotto was lucky to escape with only a yellow card after appearing to scrape his boot down the back of Cahill's head as the pair lay on the floor and then pushing the Australia midfielder and Marouane Fellaini.

Fellaini was also cautioned in the same incident, which prompted the Belgian midfielder to explode with rage and he should have been sent off seconds later for elbowing Crouch.

Once the football resumed Hibbert's perfectly-timed tackle and Howard's large frame twice denied Defoe.

Assou-Ekotto was replaced at half-time by Gareth Bale but the real impact came from the other flank just two minutes later.


Double change
Lennon whipped in a cross from the right and Defoe nipped in front of Hibbert, who was slow to react, at the near post to score.

Crouch almost made it 2-0 seven minutes later when he poked the ball wide, although Howard appeared to get the slightest of touches.

Baines was booked for going through the back of Vedran Corluka and then saw his clearance charged down by Lennon who set up Tom Huddlestone for a shot which was deflected behind.

From Kranjcar's 59th minute corner Neill allowed Dawson to escape him in the penalty area and the centre-back dived low to score in successive league matches.

The goal prompted a double change with Saha and Aiyegbeni Yakubu replacing Jo and Rodwell.

With 13 minutes to go Crouch's left-footed shot beat Howard but also the far post before Everton got themselves back in the game.

Coleman drove towards the byline before crossing to Saha who fired high into the net.

Diniyar Bilyaletdinov and Saha, with an overhead kick, both went close late on before Cahill equalised with a low header from Baines' cross four minutes from time.

Two minutes into added time Hibbert's challenge on Palacios earned Tottenham a penalty but Defoe blasted straight at Howard.