Toffees down Tottenham

Pienaar: grabbed the only goal

An impressive defensive display from Everton saw the Merseysiders come away with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Tottenham at White Hart Lane.

A solitary goal from Steven Pienaar just after the break was enough to see Everton end Spurs' unbeaten home run under Harry Redknapp and give David Moyes a win in his 300th game in charge.

The only downsides for the visitors will be the injuries sustained by strikers Yakubu and his replacement Louis Saha - both players leaving the pitch during the game with what appeared to be serious problems.

Tottenham on the other hand will be left to bemoan their profligacy in front of goal in a game that they had dominated for large parts.

Opening exchanges

In general there was a lack of early goalmouth action, with the first chance coming courtesy of Tom Huddlestone's fizzed drive across the Everton goal.

Marouane Fellaini, who had drawn a foul from Benoit Assou-Ekotto that earned the defender a booking, sent in a dangerous cross from the left that required Heurelho Gomes to parry and Jonathan Woodgate to clear.

Gomes also leapt at Leon Osman's feet to clear and then saved twice from Fellaini in the same move when the Belgium midfielder unleashed a shot from the edge of the area.

Aaron Lennon then was presented a promising opportunity when Spurs broke, but his ugly finish flashed wide and over the crossbar.

Spurs came closer when David Bentley curled in a free-kick and Phil Jagielka headed just past his own post.

Darren Bent also found room on the edge of the area, latching on to a cross from the left by Assou-Ekotto, but his finish lacked power and was straight at Howard.

When Tim Cahill crossed just before the half-time whistle, Saha was given a free header but his finish was straight at Gomes, meaning the Brazilian goalkeeper could head down the tunnel with new coach Tony Parks with Spurs still level.

Breakthrough

Pienaar delayed kick-off for the second period by wearing Osman's shirt - then within six minutes he was whipping off his shirt when he celebrated the winner.

The South Africa midfielder was fouled by Lennon, with Moyes instructing his big defenders to join the attack - but Mikel Arteta took the free-kick quickly.

Pienaar's shot took a wicked deflection off Vedran Corluka to wrongfoot Gomes, then the dreadlocked midfielder wheeled away to celebrate in front of the travelling fans.

Pienaar was in the mood for a second and Gomes had to save his swerving effort from outside the area as Spurs defenders backed off.

Redknapp's response was bringing on Fraizer Campbell for Bent, then Lennon went on a run that ended in a foul and a yellow card for Fellaini.

Bentley put the free-kick into Howard's defensive wall, with home fans calling for a penalty for handball.

Roman Pavlyuchenko almost levelled when he was found at the near post - but Howard dived sharply to deny the Russia striker.

Campbell almost grabbed an equaliser deep in stoppage-time but his effort deflected just wide.