Spurs heap more misery on Toffees

Tottenham 2 Everton 0

The nightmare scenario of falling from the Champions League to the Championship within nine months remains a worryingly realistic prospect for Everton after Tottenham inflicted their latest defeat at White Hart Lane.

David Moyes’ side, who confounded all expectations to finish fourth last season, huffed and puffed without reward in front of goal for the seventh time in eight league defeats.

They remain rooted to the bottom of the table, with morale ebbing away, after first Mido and then even Jermaine Jenas rose unchallenged to head two goals in the space of five second-half minutes past Nigel Martyn.

For a side so toothless in attack, that was it as Paul Robinson produced a sparkling save on his 26th birthday to deny Duncan Ferguson moments after his arrival as a substitute.

However, Everton could only have themselves to blame for their predicament, with Joseph Yobo’s wild pass having conceded possession to the home side in the build-up to their first goal.

Spurs, meanwhile, with an exciting young talent in England Under-21 winger Aaron Lennon once again impressing on the right flank, continue their promising start to the campaign.

Everton had even made the brighter start, with Marcus Bent firing one shot wide on the turn and James McFadden’s determined burst ending in a block by Robinson.

However, that finally brought Tottenham to life, with the pacy Lennon, fresh from impressing for the England Under-21s, providing the inspiration as he delivered an inviting cross for Michael Dawson.

The centre-back’s header was powerfully directed towards goal but Nigel Martyn produced a fine save before Kevin Kilbane hooked the loose ball clear just as Mido was poised to pounce.

Tottenham also launched a raid down the left flank, which ended in Lee Young-Pyo going sprawling to the ground after being tackled inside the penalty area by Matteo Ferrari, but no spot-kick was given.

Spurs’ pressure increased marginally, with Michael Carrick’s pinpoint delivery from corners causing consternation to the Everton defence as Dawson again came close to handing them the lead.

His header from Carrick’s corner nevertheless struck Nuno Valente, who was standing next to the right-hand upright, and the loose ball was immediately hacked clear to safety.

Not that either side was exactly producing a technical masterclass, but still the half-chances came and went, with Kilbane’s shot blocked by Jenas, who also dribbled an effort into Martyn’s arms.

Everton started the second half relatively brightly, albeit without managing to pose any serious threat to the Tottenham goal as McFadden thrashed a shot wildly over the bar.

And having failed to heed a clear warning, when Jermain Defoe’s shot from a tight angle was parried by Martyn, Everton pressed the self-destruct button after 57 minutes.

Yobo had all the time in world to start a move inside his own half, but instead sprayed a wild pass back to Tottenham, leaving Moyes holding his head in his hands in frustration.

The Everton boss’ worst fears were immediately realised as Tottenham took full advantage, with Jenas chipping a cross for Mido to rise above the hapless Yobo and head powerfully into the net.

Given that Everton had failed to score in six of their previous seven league games this season – with only Bent on target in their 1-0 win against Bolton - the visitors were clearly up against it.

James Beattie, whose season has been plagued by injury problems, may have been on the bench along with Ferguson, but Tottenham were further ahead before either of them could be introduced.

Defoe sped onto Mido’s knock-down through the left-hand channel and his cross was teed up invitingly for Jenas to head past Martyn with 28 minutes left.

Everton finally replaced Ferrari with Ferguson four minutes later, but it seemed too late to make any real difference as Tottenham were now clearly in the ascendancy.

Luck was also against them, with Ferguson directing a powerful header from McFadden’s corner just under the bar, only for Robinson to produce a superb one-handed save.