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Match Analysis: Tottenham Hotspur 2-2 Everton

Sports Mole brings you match analysis from Tottenham Hotspur's 2-2 draw with Everton.

Tottenham Hotspur and Everton clashed at White Hart Lane this afternoon both hoping to further their push for European football.

Spurs got off to the ideal start when Emmanuel Adebayor put them in front with less than one minute on the clock, but the scoreline was level before the break.

Everton captain Phil Jagielka headed the Toffees level in the 15th minute, before Kevin Mirallas gave them the lead in the second half.

However, a late Gylfi Sigurdsson strike ensured a share of the spoils.

Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at the 90 minutes to determine whether a draw was a fair outcome.

Match statistics:

Spurs:
Shots 19
On target 10
Possession 57%
Corners 7
Fouls 4

Everton:
Shots 9
On target 5
Possession 43%
Corners 6
Fouls 8

Was the result fair?

A draw was a fair outcome as both sides impressed in different areas of the pitch. Tottenham looked dangerous and determined going forward, while Everton were solid and organised at the back. Either team could have nicked it considering the number of clear-cut goalscoring opportunities was more or less equal.

Tottenham's performance

Despite missing the talismanic Gareth Bale today, Spurs produced some good football. The likes of Adebayor, Sigurdsson and Lewis Holtby kept Everton under constant pressure, but the hosts were poor from set pieces. Sigurdsson wasted countless corner and free kicks, although it was the Icelandic international since it was him who came to the rescue late on.

Everton's performance

Everton were very solid and organised at the back today, with Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman refusing to gives Spurs an inch along the flanks, and Jagielka proving to be a rock in central defence. David Moyes's side may have been under the cosh for spells, but could have come away with maximum points if luck had been on Victor Anichebe's side when he was clean through on goal in the final minute.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Emmanuel Adebayor: It hasn't been the best of seasons for Adebayor, but he took advantage of his chance to shine in the absence of key Spurs players today. The Everton defence had to stay on their toes all afternoon to keep the Togo international at bay, and he was unlucky to end the day with just one goal to his name.

Biggest gaffe

This is a difficult award to hand out as mistakes were few and far between, so perhaps it should go to Everton's defence over their failure to turn up in the first minute, allowing Adebayor to score one of the fastest Premier League goals you are ever likely to see. However, for the other 89 minutes they were outstanding.

Referee performance

It wasn't the most difficult game for Andre Marriner to oversee, but he did drop the ball on a few shouts. He handed out a needless booking to Clint Dempsey late on, claiming the American was play acting when he merely lost his balance. Marriner also missed a clear foul by Leon Osman on Scott Parker around the hour mark.

What next?

Everton: Everton will be hoping to take three points from struggling Queens Park Rangers at Goodison Park in their next league outing.

Tottenham: Spurs have a tough visit to Chelsea to contend with, but have the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final against Swiss outfit Basel coming up before that mid-week.

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Written by
Mark Langshaw
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Kevin Mirallas celebrates moments after scoring his team's second goal against Spurs on April 7, 2013
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