With four of our starting defensive options still huddled up in the treatment room, Harry Redknapp opted to make his 18th different central defensive pairing this season. The results of this gamble have been evident in the fact that Tottenham have only kept two cleansheets in all games played so far this season. Kaboul who just recovered from an injury was given the nod ahead of Bassong to pair William Gallas in defence following our recent midweek 'great' loss at Milan in the Champions league. Huddlestone was also missing from the llineup, perhaps recovering from fatigue after an almost forgettable trip to Italy and this meant that Palacios would make his first start for Spurs in the league this season. Harry opted for a 4-5-1 play with Modric and Vaart playing just behind the gangly one Crouch. Bale and Lennon would provide our width with Ekotto and Hutton in support.
At the outset, Redknapp's tactics were clear, to concede as little as possible without being too overzealous in our attack thus allowing the possibility of a narrow win against an ever resurgent Everton, confident on the back of a derby victory against Liverpool. With no European committments, Everton looked the fitter side strengthened by the return of Piennar and Saha to the squad. The burly frame of Yakubu was given the nod in attack with Cahill in support no doubt with the clear aim of exploiting our defensive shortcomings.
White Hart Lane is always happy hunting ground for the hosts but the first few minutes of this exchange were dominated by the visitors but with Palacios' prescence, there was no clear threat on Heurelho Gomes' domain.
However, when it came time for Tottenham to attack, the visitors were clearly under constant threat from Lennon or Vaart at any point they had the ball at their feet. some vibrant attacking football at White Hart Lane.
The visitors took a 17th-minute lead against the run of play thanks to Leighton Baines's brilliant free-kick.
But Spurs levelled three minutes later as Everton keeper Tim Howard flapped at a cross which Peter Crouch bundled back for Rafael Van der Vaart to crash home.
The hosts went for a winner but were unable to break Everton down in a second half which ended in frustration.
Ultimately, Spurs continued to enhance the reputation they are fast building as one of the most entertaining teams in the Premier League as their posse of creative midfielders lit up a riveting first half.
