Tottenham 0 Everton 1: IF HARRY REDKNAPP has presided over a rapid revolution at Tottenham, then David Moyes's tenure at Everton has involved a more gradual evolution.
The third-longest serving manager in the Premier League was overseeing his 300th game, and the tactical discipline they displayed in quelling a previously buoyant Spurs side was testament to his long-term development of the squad, particularly following the season-ending injury suffered by Yakubu Aiyegbeni after only 10 minutes.
The Nigerian striker started the game as a lone striker but limped off with a ruptured Achilles' tendon after a challenge with Ledley King. The loss of his top scorer dampened the celebrations for Moyes, whose injury-plagued forwards suffered further depletion in the second half when Yakubu's replacement, Louis Saha, was carried off with a hamstring strain, the severity of which will be assessed today.
Victor Anichebe was thus introduced for the final 20 minutes, but he himself is recovering from a hamstring problem and Moyes's other senior attacking option, James Vaughan, will be out for up to three months after a knee operation.
"It's a massive blow for us, for (Yakubu) as well," said Moyes. "If you look at his record in the Premier League he scores 15, 16 goals a season."
He added that he would try to bring a striker in on loan during the January window, but admitted he may have to play Tim Cahill as a makeshift forward. Here Cahill was part of a five-man midfield that disrupted Tottenham's passing, as he and the excellent Marouane Fellaini negated Spurs' Tom Huddlestone and Didier Zokora, and Mikel Arteta filled the unlikely role of anchorman with aplomb.
Redknapp berated his players for "switching off" and "turning their backs" when Arteta played a quick free-kick short to the industrious Steven Pienaar. He ran to the edge of the penalty area before his shot deflected off Vedran Corluka past the wrong-footed Heurelho Gomes.
Pienaar had emerged for the second half wearing Leon Osman's shirt - "they changed next to each other", explained Moyes - but it was his own jersey he peeled off in celebration to reveal a T-shirt bearing the message "God is Great".
Corluka's crucial touch on the ball was welcomed by neutrals because such an intervention had seemed the only way a goal would come. Gomes was not overworked, as Everton were unable to win a corner.
For all their possession Spurs created few chances, the pick of which fell to Darren Bent, who diverted Benoit Assou-Ekotto's cross tamely at Tim Howard. Bent was replaced by Fraizer Campbell and the Manchester United loanee looked set to equalise in injury time, but the brief opening was closed by Phil Jagielka's block, one of several interceptions from the outstanding defender.
• Guardian Service
