Tottenham Hotspur against Everton

Van der Vaart collects the ball in the box and though he twists and turns, he cannot get away from Distin and the big Frenchman blocks his effort.

A diagonal ball into the box from Spurs finds Crouch, but his knockdown to Pavlyuchenko is too far away from the Russian.

Pienaar's first chance to link up with Hibbert down the right is an abortive one, as the defender gets his pass all wrong and rolls the ball out of play.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Here is the change as Beckford comes on for Coleman. Presumably Pienaar will switch to right midfield, as Bale has done for Spurs.

It appears Jermaine Beckford will be coming on for Everton, as they mount one last attempt to snatch a win.

Spurs continue to ratchet up the pressure as Tim Cahill heads clear from a Bale corner. The ball finds its way to Assou-Ekotto who produces a terrible effort.

A wicked cross from Alan Hutton flies along the edge of the box and within 60 seconds, Van der Vaart produces a cross that soars over the head of Crouch. Spurs look very capable of winning this game.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Everton replace John Heitinga with Tony Hibbert, who signed a new contract this week.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Sandro goes into the book when tripping Saha to prevent a break.

Spurs surge forward and when the ball is worked to Pavlyuchenko on the edge of the box, he opts to shoot and sees his effort blocked. A square pass to Crouch may have been the better option.

Everton win a corner but Baines' delivery is headed well clear by Gareth Bale. That's disappointing.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Van der Vaart does a Ketsbaia! He is denied a corner and reacts by booting the advertising boards.

So Spurs have two men up front now which should give them more presence in attack. The second half has witnessed precious few chances though.

Tim Cahill pings a half-volley just inches wide of the post after collecting the ball 25 yards from goal. A great effort from the Australian.

A lovely touch from Peter Crouch sees the striker find space on the edge of the box but his effort lacks pace and Howard grabs the ball easily.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Tottenham look for more fire power as Roman Pavlyuchenko replaces Aaron Lennon.

Steven Pienaar lets fly from 20 or so yards but he fails to keep his effort down and it soars over the bar.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> The Yak makes way for Saha, who makes his comeback from injury.

Everton are readying Louis Saha on the touchlines, which makes sense as Yakubu is having little impact.

The pace of the game has dropped somewhat, which isn't making for a fantastic spectacle. Everton's lone striker, Yakubu, is a bit isolated at present.

With Modric, Bale, Van der Vaart and Sandro all in midfield, Tottenham really do look a very good side indeed. With Aaron Lennon's pace that is a formidable midfield, if slightly open to exploitation.

Crouch does superbly to head away a Baines set-piece as Cahill was ready to head the ball home just behind him. That was an important intervention.

Distin misjudges a lofted pass, allowing Crouch to chest the ball and slip away from him, but the Frenchman recovers to get a foot in.

Luka Modric dinks the ball away from Cahill, who clatters into the Croatian to give away a clumsy free-kick. No card though.

Van der Vaart whips in the free-kick but Crouch cannot get his head to it. As Spurs work the ball back into the box, Gareth Bale flicks it on and wins a corner. Kaboul then heads over from the set-piece. Pressure is building on Everton once again.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Seamus Coleman goes into the book for pushing Aaron Lennon to the ground in the final third. He went down fairly easily, but he is only a small lad.

Assou-Ekotto flattens Jagielka by the touchline as a scrappy start to the half continues. Everton are certainly missing Arteta today.

Crouch and Bale exchange passes and the striker drags a shot across the face of goal.

It's a low key start to the second half but the introduction of Sandro should give Spurs a touch more class in midfield.

<b>KICK OFF!</b>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Spurs bring on Brazilian midfielder Sandro for Palacios, who was on a booking.

We are just a few minutes away from the restart at White Hart Lane. Can Spurs complete the comeback and get the win that takes them into joint second place in the league?

We will be back in ten minutes for the start of the second half, so stay right here.

<b>HALF TIME</b> Rafael van der Vaart maintains his impressive record at White Hart Lane after taking advantage of a mistake from Tim Howard. Everton took the lead through a fine free-kick from Leighton Baines.

Just before the break, Crouch rises to meet a cross from Hutton but can only direct his header straight at Howard.

The Welsh wing wizard (that's got a good ring to it, eh?) steps gingerly back onto the turf and we continue.

Play comes to a halt as Bale goes down clutching his shin. Replays show that Heitinga caught him as he attempted to boot the ball clear. Bale hobbles off the pitch for treatment.

A lovely, controlled passing move from Everton culminates in a disappointing cross from Coleman that soars over his team-mates in the box. That was more encouraging though.

Kaboul leaps to clear a cross from Baines and Cahill was lurking behind him, ready to put that away. The Toffees are still struggling to create any clear chances, with set-pieces and crosses their most productive avenue so far.

Spurs are enjoying too much space on the break, with Modric particularly dangerous, but Jagielka does just enough to halt another foray forward from the home side.

Assou-Ekotto pulls the shirt of Coleman as he spins round the Spurs man but somehow he escapes a yellow card for the foul. Kaboul clears from the set-piece.

Gareth Bale has done some wonderful things this season, but his attempted volley from 15 yards is not one of them. Bale gets it all wrong.

This time Baines goes for the opposite corner but the shot soars over the bar, leaving Gomes looking mightily relieved.

Luka Modric knocks Coleman to the floor to give away a free-kick, and this is in Baines range.

Peter Crouch appeals again for a penalty and this time he has a real point. Jagielka and Neville sandwiched the striker and they were pushing the limits of legality. Crouch is unimpressed as nothing is given.

Modric slips an angled pass in to Lennon but the winger cannot get a shot away.

Yakubu collects a pass from Cahill and uses his strength to knock Assou-Ekotto to the floor. It looks for all the world as if he has won a corner, but strangely a goal-kick is awarded.

Phil Neville looks angry and appears to accuse Assou-Ekotto of going over the top of the ball. It is getting a bit tetchy on the Everton right.

An over-elaborate pass from Luka Modric allows Everton to counter but as Yakubu gets the ball out of his feet, he gives Kaboul too much space and time to recover.

The pressure continues as Modric drifts in from the left and fires a shot narrowly wide of the post. He is looking very bright today.

The referee stops play as Steven Pienaar is pole-axed by an aerial challenge from Alan Hutton. The defender's thigh caught Pienaar in the face but it appears he will be fine to continue.

Modric looks to slip a pass into Van der Vaart as he loiters on the edge of the box, and Spurs are playing some nice stuff. Meanwhile, Kaboul heads clear at the other end as Bilyaletdinov swings in a cross.

That is Van der Vaart's fifth goal in eight games for Tottenham. I think it's safe to say he's something of a hero down at Spurs already.

Everton could only hold onto their lead for three minutes and could live to rue that terrible piece of goalkeeping from Tim Howard.

Van der Vaart has still scored in all of his home games, and once again it is Peter Crouch who set him up. Those two have struck up quite the partnership.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL!</b> Oh dear me. Tim Howard comes and flaps at a cross from Alan Hutton, allowing Crouch to knock the ball square to Van der Vaart, who absolutely belted it in from a yard out.

That really was a touch of class from the Everton left back, even if the lead is somewhat undeserved given Spurs have been the better side so far.

<b>GOAL!</b><img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> A wonderful, wonderful free-kick from Leighton Baines as he curls the ball into the top corner from 25 yards out. Gomes was stationary.

Modric and Van der Vaart link up, almost to devastating effect, as the Dutchman produces a stunning spinning back heel to play the ball into the path of his team-mate. However, Everton cut out Modric's attempted cross.

The pressure continues to mount on the Everton goal as the little genius that is Luka Modric forces Tim Howard into a sprawling save.

The home crowd appeal for a penalty once again when Crouch is knocked into but again, there was nothing in it.

Coleman and Neville team up to halt a Bale foray forward, it looks as though those two are going to have a very busy afternoon indeed.

Now Phil Neville gives away a free-kick down the left but again, Van der Vaart's delivery is lacking.

Tim Cahill finds space 25 yards from goal but his low effort skips of the turf and into the arms of Gomes.

Johnny Heitinga dinks the free-kick into the box but he puts far too much on it and Gomes catches.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Wilson Palacios trips Yakubu as he attempts to break away and gets a booking. What will his mum have to say about that?

Van der Vaart swings in the set-piece but Everton have little difficulty in clearing.

Seamus Coleman trips Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Spurs have a free-kick in an advanced position on the left...

Spurs appeal for a penalty when Peter Crouch feels he has been pushed while jumping, but there was very little in it.

Wilson Palacios is making a rare start for Spurs and he can thank his mum for that. She gave Harry Redknapp an earful for leaving him on the bench recently.

Aaron Lennon robs Sylvain Distin of possession some 20 yards from goal but Spurs are unable to take advantage.

Apparently the referee has asked for the floodlights to be turned on because it is so gloomy around White Hart Lane today.

Coleman and Phil Neville working in conjunction down the Everton right has a solid look about it, and that may be necessary if Gareth Bale continues his brilliant run of form. Predictably, his performance against Inter saw him linked with every Italian club under the sun.

Johnny Heitinga gets an early challenge in on his international team-mate Rafael van der Vaart. Hopefully they won't be employing the same tactics Netherlands used in the World Cup final today.

Tim Cahill lurks on the edge of the box in menacing fashion but he is unable to get a clean shot away.

It looks as though young Seamus Coleman is again lining up at right midfield for Everton, though he is a right back by trade. Coleman was brilliant against Liverpool in an advanced role, and set-up Tim Cahill for his goal.

<b>KICK OFF!</b>

How about a prediction then? I'll go for a thrilling 2-2 draw, that would be nice.

The teams stream out of the tunnel and we are just minutes away from kick-off at White Hart Lane.

A win will take Spurs two points behind Chelsea and level with Manchester City in second, while Everton could climb as high as joint sixth. They have really turned things around.

Tottenham have won more points against Everton than any other Premier League team, so it could be a tall order for the Toffees today. However, they will hope that European exertions took a lot out of Spurs.

As for Everton, they enjoyed a derby victory over Liverpool last weekend so should be full of confidence. They are without Mikel Arteta and Leon Osman due to injury but Steven Pienaar returns for David Moyes' side.

Hello everybody. My name is Tom Adams and I will be taking you through Tottenham v Everton this afternoon. All eyes are of course on Gareth Bale following his outstanding hat-trick against Inter in the Champions League.

Live commentary will appear here from 1230 BST.

Dale Johnson's <A HREF= http://soccernet.espn.go.com/preview?id=292940&cc=5739 target=new>previews</A> Saturday's game as Spurs hope to take inspiration from Gareth Bale's heroics against Inter. Rafael van der Vaart also returns to the side.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2010/1006/rafaelvandervaartandgarethbalespurs20101006_275x155.gif">

A lovely touch from Peter Crouch sees the striker find space on the edge of the box but his effort lacks pace and Howard grabs the ball easily.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Tottenham look for more fire power as Roman Pavlyuchenko replaces Aaron Lennon.

Steven Pienaar lets fly from 20 or so yards but he fails to keep his effort down and it soars over the bar.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> The Yak makes way for Saha, who makes his comeback from injury.

Everton are readying Louis Saha on the touchlines, which makes sense as Yakubu is having little impact.

The pace of the game has dropped somewhat, which isn't making for a fantastic spectacle. Everton's lone striker, Yakubu, is a bit isolated at present.

With Modric, Bale, Van der Vaart and Sandro all in midfield, Tottenham really do look a very good side indeed. With Aaron Lennon's pace that is a formidable midfield, if slightly open to exploitation.

Crouch does superbly to head away a Baines set-piece as Cahill was ready to head the ball home just behind him. That was an important intervention.

Distin misjudges a lofted pass, allowing Crouch to chest the ball and slip away from him, but the Frenchman recovers to get a foot in.

Luka Modric dinks the ball away from Cahill, who clatters into the Croatian to give away a clumsy free-kick. No card though.

Van der Vaart whips in the free-kick but Crouch cannot get his head to it. As Spurs work the ball back into the box, Gareth Bale flicks it on and wins a corner. Kaboul then heads over from the set-piece. Pressure is building on Everton once again.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Seamus Coleman goes into the book for pushing Aaron Lennon to the ground in the final third. He went down fairly easily, but he is only a small lad.

Assou-Ekotto flattens Jagielka by the touchline as a scrappy start to the half continues. Everton are certainly missing Arteta today.

Crouch and Bale exchange passes and the striker drags a shot across the face of goal.

It's a low key start to the second half but the introduction of Sandro should give Spurs a touch more class in midfield.

<b>KICK OFF!</b>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Spurs bring on Brazilian midfielder Sandro for Palacios, who was on a booking.

We are just a few minutes away from the restart at White Hart Lane. Can Spurs complete the comeback and get the win that takes them into joint second place in the league?

We will be back in ten minutes for the start of the second half, so stay right here.

<b>HALF TIME</b> Rafael van der Vaart maintains his impressive record at White Hart Lane after taking advantage of a mistake from Tim Howard. Everton took the lead through a fine free-kick from Leighton Baines.

Just before the break, Crouch rises to meet a cross from Hutton but can only direct his header straight at Howard.

The Welsh wing wizard (that's got a good ring to it, eh?) steps gingerly back onto the turf and we continue.

Play comes to a halt as Bale goes down clutching his shin. Replays show that Heitinga caught him as he attempted to boot the ball clear. Bale hobbles off the pitch for treatment.

A lovely, controlled passing move from Everton culminates in a disappointing cross from Coleman that soars over his team-mates in the box. That was more encouraging though.

Kaboul leaps to clear a cross from Baines and Cahill was lurking behind him, ready to put that away. The Toffees are still struggling to create any clear chances, with set-pieces and crosses their most productive avenue so far.

Spurs are enjoying too much space on the break, with Modric particularly dangerous, but Jagielka does just enough to halt another foray forward from the home side.

Assou-Ekotto pulls the shirt of Coleman as he spins round the Spurs man but somehow he escapes a yellow card for the foul. Kaboul clears from the set-piece.

Gareth Bale has done some wonderful things this season, but his attempted volley from 15 yards is not one of them. Bale gets it all wrong.

This time Baines goes for the opposite corner but the shot soars over the bar, leaving Gomes looking mightily relieved.

Luka Modric knocks Coleman to the floor to give away a free-kick, and this is in Baines range.

Peter Crouch appeals again for a penalty and this time he has a real point. Jagielka and Neville sandwiched the striker and they were pushing the limits of legality. Crouch is unimpressed as nothing is given.

Modric slips an angled pass in to Lennon but the winger cannot get a shot away.

Yakubu collects a pass from Cahill and uses his strength to knock Assou-Ekotto to the floor. It looks for all the world as if he has won a corner, but strangely a goal-kick is awarded.

Phil Neville looks angry and appears to accuse Assou-Ekotto of going over the top of the ball. It is getting a bit tetchy on the Everton right.

An over-elaborate pass from Luka Modric allows Everton to counter but as Yakubu gets the ball out of his feet, he gives Kaboul too much space and time to recover.

The pressure continues as Modric drifts in from the left and fires a shot narrowly wide of the post. He is looking very bright today.

The referee stops play as Steven Pienaar is pole-axed by an aerial challenge from Alan Hutton. The defender's thigh caught Pienaar in the face but it appears he will be fine to continue.

Modric looks to slip a pass into Van der Vaart as he loiters on the edge of the box, and Spurs are playing some nice stuff. Meanwhile, Kaboul heads clear at the other end as Bilyaletdinov swings in a cross.

That is Van der Vaart's fifth goal in eight games for Tottenham. I think it's safe to say he's something of a hero down at Spurs already.

Everton could only hold onto their lead for three minutes and could live to rue that terrible piece of goalkeeping from Tim Howard.

Van der Vaart has still scored in all of his home games, and once again it is Peter Crouch who set him up. Those two have struck up quite the partnership.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL!</b> Oh dear me. Tim Howard comes and flaps at a cross from Alan Hutton, allowing Crouch to knock the ball square to Van der Vaart, who absolutely belted it in from a yard out.

That really was a touch of class from the Everton left back, even if the lead is somewhat undeserved given Spurs have been the better side so far.

<b>GOAL!</b><img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> A wonderful, wonderful free-kick from Leighton Baines as he curls the ball into the top corner from 25 yards out. Gomes was stationary.

Modric and Van der Vaart link up, almost to devastating effect, as the Dutchman produces a stunning spinning back heel to play the ball into the path of his team-mate. However, Everton cut out Modric's attempted cross.

The pressure continues to mount on the Everton goal as the little genius that is Luka Modric forces Tim Howard into a sprawling save.

The home crowd appeal for a penalty once again when Crouch is knocked into but again, there was nothing in it.

Coleman and Neville team up to halt a Bale foray forward, it looks as though those two are going to have a very busy afternoon indeed.

Now Phil Neville gives away a free-kick down the left but again, Van der Vaart's delivery is lacking.

Tim Cahill finds space 25 yards from goal but his low effort skips of the turf and into the arms of Gomes.

Johnny Heitinga dinks the free-kick into the box but he puts far too much on it and Gomes catches.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Wilson Palacios trips Yakubu as he attempts to break away and gets a booking. What will his mum have to say about that?

Van der Vaart swings in the set-piece but Everton have little difficulty in clearing.

Seamus Coleman trips Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Spurs have a free-kick in an advanced position on the left...

Spurs appeal for a penalty when Peter Crouch feels he has been pushed while jumping, but there was very little in it.

Wilson Palacios is making a rare start for Spurs and he can thank his mum for that. She gave Harry Redknapp an earful for leaving him on the bench recently.

Aaron Lennon robs Sylvain Distin of possession some 20 yards from goal but Spurs are unable to take advantage.

Apparently the referee has asked for the floodlights to be turned on because it is so gloomy around White Hart Lane today.

Coleman and Phil Neville working in conjunction down the Everton right has a solid look about it, and that may be necessary if Gareth Bale continues his brilliant run of form. Predictably, his performance against Inter saw him linked with every Italian club under the sun.

Johnny Heitinga gets an early challenge in on his international team-mate Rafael van der Vaart. Hopefully they won't be employing the same tactics Netherlands used in the World Cup final today.

Tim Cahill lurks on the edge of the box in menacing fashion but he is unable to get a clean shot away.

It looks as though young Seamus Coleman is again lining up at right midfield for Everton, though he is a right back by trade. Coleman was brilliant against Liverpool in an advanced role, and set-up Tim Cahill for his goal.

<b>KICK OFF!</b>

How about a prediction then? I'll go for a thrilling 2-2 draw, that would be nice.

The teams stream out of the tunnel and we are just minutes away from kick-off at White Hart Lane.

A win will take Spurs two points behind Chelsea and level with Manchester City in second, while Everton could climb as high as joint sixth. They have really turned things around.

Tottenham have won more points against Everton than any other Premier League team, so it could be a tall order for the Toffees today. However, they will hope that European exertions took a lot out of Spurs.

As for Everton, they enjoyed a derby victory over Liverpool last weekend so should be full of confidence. They are without Mikel Arteta and Leon Osman due to injury but Steven Pienaar returns for David Moyes' side.

Hello everybody. My name is Tom Adams and I will be taking you through Tottenham v Everton this afternoon. All eyes are of course on Gareth Bale following his outstanding hat-trick against Inter in the Champions League.

Live commentary will appear here from 1230 BST.

Dale Johnson's <A HREF= http://soccernet.espn.go.com/preview?id=292940&cc=5739 target=new>previews</A> Saturday's game as Spurs hope to take inspiration from Gareth Bale's heroics against Inter. Rafael van der Vaart also returns to the side.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2010/1006/rafaelvandervaartandgarethbalespurs20101006_275x155.gif">