Everton and Tottenham played out an entertaining 1-1 draw at Goodison Park on Sunday.
Former Spurs winger Aaron Lennon opened the scoring for the Toffees with a well-taken strike in the 22nd minute from Romelu Lukaku's knockdown header for his first league goal for the club.
There were a number of strong chances for both sides throughout but it was the quality of Dele Alli on the stroke of half-time which levelled the scores.
Toby Alderweireld delivered a perfectly lofted ball for the talented midfielder to control superbly with his chest before firing home a volley beyond Tim Howard.
The result sees Roberto Martinez's Everton sitting 11th on the table where as Mauricio Pochettino's Spurs are fourth thanks to a fourth-straight match undefeated.
MATCH OVERVIEW
Everton: 1 (Aaron Lennon 22')
Tottenham: 1 (Dele Alli 45+1')
Goodison Park, Liverpool - 38,482
TALKING POINTS
- A better defensive effort from Everton. If they can combine more solidity at the back with their dangerous attack, can they challenge the top sides consistently?
- Dele Alli continues to mature and get better. Does he have the ability to be England's next big thing?
WHAT'S NEXT?
Everton host Manchester City in the Capital One Cup semi-final first leg on Wednesday night, then meet Dagenham & Redbridge at Goodison in the FA Cup 3rd round on the weekend prior to the daunting trip to City in the league next week.
Spurs host Leicester City in the cup on Sunday before taking on the Foxes in the league at White Hart Lane again three days later.
TWITTER INSIGHT
Delighted to get the goal today, however disappointed we're not leaving with all 3 points! Another strong performance from the team #COYS
— Dele Alli (@Dele_Alli) January 3, 2016Thank you to all the fans that travelled today, unreal support! We played well but needed to be more clinical! We go again next week! #COYS
— Harry Kane (@HKane) January 3, 2016Tight game today against a good spurs side, but happy to score my first goal at Goodison!!! Massive game on Wednesday #Toffees
— Aaron Lennon (@AaronLennon12) January 3, 2016
QUOTES CORNER
Everton's Martinez on the improved defensive effort of his side:
"I thought throughout the game we had a very, very good performance.
"We have been conceding goals cheaply at home and it was something we had to rectify."
Tottenham's Pochettino on a missed opportunity:
"We dropped two points.
"The first half I think was fantastic, one of our best performances so far. In the second half we managed the game until around 75 minutes, when I think Everton increased their level.
"I think we need to feel proud, and our performance was really good - but we are disappointed with the final result."
STATS SPECIALS
*Thanks to Opta
1 - Aaron Lennon scored his first Premier League goal for Everton at Goodison Park in his 12th appearance there for the Toffees. Timely.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 3, 20166 - Dele Alli has scored or assisted six goals in his last seven Premier League appearances (three goals, three assists). Blossoming.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 3, 2016