About Spurs:
A crushing defeat to a side who played an hour with 10 men.
Spurs looked woeful at Bolton a week ago and were even worse here. Even after Kevin Kilbane had been sent off in the 32nd minute the Londoners rarely threatened.
Spurs will be wondering how they weren't in control by half-time.
Spurs tried to press home their numerical advantage, but were finding it difficult to get the ball to Aaron Lennon. Frank Wiechula, The People
For those who had indulged in careless talk of a Tottenham revival and a potentially serious challenge to the big four emerging from N17, this was a most chastening afternoon.
Against an Everton team lacking in ambition and reduced to 10 men for almost an hour, tame, timid Spurs failed to force Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard into anything resembling a save until the last seconds. No wonder they were jeered off the pitch.
Buoyed by an excitable crowd, hell-bent on rekindling Spurs' Glory Glory Days by sheer force of will, the home side attempted to prise Everton open by any means necessary.
Thus, Aaron Lennon was an underused outlet on the right, Teemu Tainio an irritant on the left and, in the centre, Davids, undaunted by Everton's robust approach, surrendered territory and attempted to pull the strings from the centre circle.
Yet, for all their hardy endeavour, Spurs lacked guile. Hemmed in in midfield and crowded out in attack, they created nothing of note for 27 minutes.
When the contest spluttered into life, soon Defoe emerged to add vim to Spurs's lackadaisical front pair. John Aizlewood, The Sunday Times
Sending on another striker, Jermain Defoe, and urging central defender Michael Dawson forward, Tottenham went for broke. But the plan imploded. Colin Malam, The Sunday Telegraph
Spurs proceeded to dominate until half time.
Tottenham began the second half positively. That proved a false indication of what was about to follow, though.
Jermain Defoe's arrival did little to change the momentum of the game. Aridam Rej, The Observer
Spurs flattered to deceive against the vibrant Toffees on a miserable afternoon for Martin Jol's side. Andy Johnson was a thorn in Tottenham's side all afternoon as Spurs turned in possibly their worst performance under Jol's control.
Spurs were outclassed from start to finish and even after the first-half dismissal of Kevin Kilbane for a second bookable offence, Jol's side had little idea how to make the most of their numerical advantage. Everton had begun the game in confident mood. Spurs, in contrast, struggled to find their rhythm, particularly in midfield where they often found themselves outnumbered by blue shirts. Consequently, they resorted to hitting elongated passes to Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane and the tactic appeared to work with Spurs winning their first corner in the 14th minute.
However, although they failed to take advantage, Spurs maintained their pressure. The home side, enjoying a sustained spell of pressure, were beginning to find gaps. Prompted by the pace of Lee and Aaron Lennon on the right flank, there was an ominous intent to their approach play for the first time. Tottenham began the second half with renewed enthusiasm but for all their clever approach play, they were unable to make the most of set-pieces.
The home side were struggling to take advantage of their extra man and the lively Johnson was giving the Spurs defence some uncomfortable moments.
The (first) goal sparked Tottenham into a frenzied response but the final ball, so often lacking in quality in the opening period, was again their downfall. But it got worse for Spurs. Adrian Curtis, The Independent on Sunday
About Everton:
Ten-man Everton grew in confidence and went in front. Having the better of the play, they doubled their lead and sealed the match. Rob Beasley, News of the World
They were ultimately undone by Andy Johnson who made the first and scored the second in a classic smash-and-grab raid.
Spurs, who huffed and puffed but to no effect, threw on England striker Jermain Defoe but it was Johnson who stole the show.
Johnson then made them pay the ultimate price. Frank Wiechula, The People
For Everton — brave and dogged to a man — this was the sort of backs-to-the-wall performance that seasons turn upon.
Everton manager David Moyes was nothing if not brave, saturating midfield as assiduously as the home side had watered the pitch before the game.
With Spurs stymied, Everton glanced into the Spurs half and wondered what might be afoot. Kevin Kilbane and Cahill began to inch forward to support Andy Johnson, but after 35 minutes, Everton's carefully constructed edifice began to crumble.
A man short, Everton went further into their shell.
Eight minutes into what was promising to be an even more tepid second half, of all things, Everton scored. As befitted a raggedy game, the goal was a messy business.
Unsurprisingly, Everton did not lose their shape. More surprisingly, they did not retreat and their bravery was rewarded after 64 minutes.
Sitting comfortably on their cushion, Everton rarely looked in jeopardy, while Spurs continued to huff and puff in inconsequential fashion. John Aizlewood, The Sunday Times
Heroic Everton surmounted the loss of Kevin Kilbane for two thirds of this match, the Merseysiders defied expectation by scoring twice in the second half.
Central defender Joleon Lescott was instrumental in causing Calum Davenport's own goal.
Everton paid Spurs the compliment of fielding a five-man midfield behind a lone striker. With Tim Cahill recalled in midfield, the tactics worked to perfection. Spurs found it so difficult to penetrate Everton's carefully constructed barricades that not once in the first half were the home side allowed a genuine scoring chance.
The loss of a player did not stop the visitors giving Spurs a fright. Colin Malam, The Sunday Telegraph
It took just ten men for Everton to overcome the shot-shy Spurs. This was not pretty, but uncomplicated effectiveness is fast becoming an Everton trademark.
At half time, with Kevin Kilbane already sent off and Tottenham in control, it looked like a draw would be a result to cherish. That changed in a 13-minute spell in which Tottenham's defence failed to cut out Everton's first two genuine chances.
Moyes had earlier ditched the rigid 4-4-2 formation he had experimented with and reverted back to the 4-5-1 he was so keen to deploy last season. It seemed a shrewd move considering the uncharacteristic lack of bite Everton have shown so far this season in midfield. James Beattie was left on the bench as Leon Osman was positioned on the right flank, allowing Tim Cahill a roving role behind Andy Johnson before Kilbane's 31st-minute dismissal forced a reorganisation.
The early stages proved a hard slog in the centre of midfield, with possession changing hands frequently. Most of Everton's attempts to break through were from hopeful passes aimed in the general direction of Johnson, who was being well-watched by the assured Benoit Assou-Ekotto. There was little danger in the air too as Calum Davenport and Michael Dawson towered over Johnson and snuffed out everything launched at them.
Everton's defence looked more creaky, though. The visitors' confidence seemed to have been sapped and slowly Tottenham began to take a grip on the game.
Suddenly (after the first goal), the meek Everton of the first half had disappeared and there was a swagger to their play despite the numerical disadvantage. It was little surprise when the lead was doubled. Aridam Rej, The Observer
The Merseysiders thwarted the home side by filling their midfield and eradicating the supply line to England winger Aaron Lennon. The tactic worked superbly as lack-lustre Spurs, without a recognised left-winger in their ranks, had no other outlet to undo Everton's well-marshalled rearguard. Adrian Curtis, The Independent on Sunday