Everton hosted Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League looking to get back above their visitors after dropping out of the top four in recent games.
In a first-half of few opportunities Everton had the better of the game, but Spurs improved after the break and scored an unlikely opener with 15 minutes left.
However, a late salvo from Steven Pienaar and then Nikica Jelavic handed Everton a dramatic three points.
Read how the action unfolded below with Sports Mole's live text commentary.
Good afternoon and thanks for joining Sports Mole for this top-seven clash between Everton and Tottenham Hotspur.
This should be a well-contested affair taking into account Everton's unbeaten start at home and Spurs' huge improvement of late.
Everton have gone off the boil ever so slightly from their unusual storming start, but are still very hard to beat, as evidenced by their seven draws from the last nine Premier League games.
Especially at Goodison Park, where it has been 11 games since the Toffees tasted league defeat.
Add to that Spurs' apparent inability to hand on to a clean-sheet away from home - but 15 goals scored - and you have a very-tricky-to-predict contest.
The teams are in, so I'll get straight to it.
First, the Everton XI: Howard; Coleman, Baines, Jagielka, Distin; Osman, Pienaar, Gibson, Fellaini, Mirallas; Jelavic
So it isn't the same starting lineup for the third match running for Moyes. Both Seamus Coleman and Kevin Mirallas are fit and they displace Tony Hibbert and Steven Naismith respectively.
Of course, Marouane Fellaini is the danger man for the hosts. The Belgian has eight goals from midfield so far - a tally surpassed from midfield by only the remarkable Michu - and five in his last five. He has fairly destroyed almost every side he has come up against thus far.
Now the Spurs XI: Lloris; Walker, Gallas, Caulker, Vertonghen; Lennon, Sandro, Dembele, Dempsey; Adebayor, Defoe
Emmanuel Adebayor returns from suspension to start for Spurs in a perhaps surprising attacking lineup. Without with injured Gareth Bale, Andre Villas-Boas has opted for two up front with what looks to be Clint Dempsey on the left. In interesting move when perhaps more than any other side at the moment an extra man is needed to help stop Fellaini.
It is certainly the American's best position, cutting in from the left and it's where he got most of his 23 goals for Fulham last term, but I fancy Mousa Dembele will need to play very well - which isn't unlikely, I know - as Sandro will have a lot of work to do against Fellaini. That could be the key battle this afternoon.
We also have a separate article with the full team news, courtesy of my colleague Liam Power. Click here to have a look.
The last time Spurs managed a win on this ground was February 2007, when they recorded a 2-1 victory. This will be their sixth attempt for maximum points since.
An interesting fact that somewhat goes against the overall goals against records for both teams. Spurs, who have conceded 23 goals overall, have not yet conceded in the opening 15 minutes of games. Everton, with 19 conceded in all, have let six in during the same time period. Should Everton keep it tight in the first quarter of an hour, you'd have to fancy them to get at least a point.
Everton, despite their league position, are in need of a win soon, with just one in the last six. Their previous three games have ended 1-1, with a 2-1 defeat to Reading in the game before.
It's been an inability to finish chances more than anything that has gone against the Toffees, as in many of those games they dominated proceedings only to draw or, in Reading's case, lose.
Tottenham, on the other hand, have taken their chances well, with Jermain Defoe in particular finding clinical form. He scored twice in the 3-0 win at Craven Cottage last weekend in what was an even game in truth, before notching another on Thursday against Panathinaikos.
Just about 15 minutes until kickoff. Tottenham would keep up the pressure on Chelsea with a win here, although they would need a six-goal victory to move above them... Everton are looking to get back into the top four that they have recently slipped out of. Indeed a win for them would see them leapfrog Arsenal, West Brom and Spurs into fourth. Here's a look at the table as it stands.
Goal update: City have pulled one back against Manchester United - live commentary from that game is here.
I guess I should stick my neck on the line then. I think Fellaini in the middle will be too much for Spurs - Sandro is an excellent player, but Fellaini is better in my opinion. I think 2-1 to Everton, but they might go behind.
Also remember that Spurs had an important Europa League clash on Thursday, with several big names starting. Not that it would affect Adebayor too much. He did play but will be fresh after league suspension.
Less than five minutes until kickoff. They're wrapping up the pre-match shenanigans and Goodison Park is nearly full.
Handshakes done, quick check of the odds if you fancy a late flutter: Everton can be had at 10/11, Spurs at 3/1.
We're off! Everton get us underway.
Early passing from Spurs, with early pressing from Everton forcing them into a mistake and Jelavic wins a free-kick from Sandro.
Chance for Everton! Early chance as Mirallas crosses to Steven Pienaar, who heads to Leon Osman but his volley is well-blocked.
Lots of neat passing from the hosts as they look for early possession, before a huge Howard kick finds Mirallas wide right. It's worked to Coleman on the byline and Spurs get it behind for a corner. Good play.
Apologies, it was given as a goal-kick - it came off Jelavic.
Very solid start from Everton, some early signs that they can do some damage down that Spurs left with Jan Vertonghen and Dempsey cutting in.
Sylvain Distin digs away a Vertonghen cross. Fellaini finds Mirallas, who looks for Jelavic in behind but it's just overhit. Everton happily to pass patiently at the back but they're stepping through the gears as they work up the field.
Trademark marauding run from Dembele, and Vertonghen looks for Defoe but Everton keeping it really tight at the back as Spurs are forced back.
Dembele shoots from fully 35 yards. He catches it well but it's low and central and easy for Howard.
Chance for Everton! Really strong run again from Dembele, but Defoe loses out and Everton break. Jelavic is found in behind but Hugo Lloris does really well to beat him to the ball.
More patient passing from the Toffees back line. Again they look to go direct past the halfway line as Coleman is just muscled off the ball for a throw.
Handball against the right-back there after Fellaini plays him through over the top. Good start from Coleman so far.
Dempsey collects for the first time but has no options and is tackled. Sandro flies in on Fellaini - it was hard but one-footed, good tackle for me.
We've not seen a lot of Adebayor and Defoe so far. Distin and Phil Jagielka are keeping them quiet so far. That said, Jelavic hasn't had many sights of Lloris apart from that one just now.
Osman gives it away to Dempsey in a dangerous position, who is brought down by Gibson. Sight of goal here on the left side of the box.
It's Dempsey who strikes, but Howard gathers easily from his US colleague.
Gallas gives it away and it's worked to Coleman. The Irishman is a bit quick with his cross and it's cut out.
Superb take from Jelavic, taking down a diagonal 50-yard ball from Gibson on his chest. However there's not enough support and the chance is gone after Osman is crowded out. He loves to play on the shoulder of both defenders, a really hard worker.
Chance for Everton! Mirallas has to cross better there! He's found over the top with Jelavic clear of Gallas in the middle, but it's too far behind the Croatian and the defender clears.
Gibson shoots from his favoured 30-odd yards. However it's a poor effort and well wide.
Defoe gets a half-chance after a Dempsey pull back, but it's blocked. Then Fellaini charges down a Sandro effort from distance and it's a corner.
Dembele plays it a little short for Caulker, but he recovers well. Distin wins a header and Everton can break again - the early ball from Baines is too long for Jelavic.
Again solid from Everton. This time it's Baines, who slides in to block a cross from Lennon, who had been played in by Sandro.
Coleman again is in down the right but shoots instead of crossing and it's wide.
Poor ball in by Fellaini is headed clear from Gallas. Everton press well after giving it away but Osman brings down Sandro.
Dempsey is tackled and Everton break. It comes to Pienaar on the left, who cuts in but puts his shot wide of the near post.
Mirallas is crowded out by a combination of Dembele and Vertonghen. The former breaks clear and is tugged back for a free kick.
Good ball from Walker in to Adebayor is read by Distin and he puts it out for a throw. However Spurs again cannot create a chance so Everton come again.
Good play as Gibson angles one down the right to Coleman, who wins a corner off Dempsey.
Fellaini meets it but heads it over.
Jagielka looks direct for Fellaini but it's well defended by Dawson, however Spurs cannot keep the ball at the moment. Fellaini has a good chance to cross but overhits it with Jelavic in the box.
Mirallas hammers a shot against Vertonghen, before a cross from Baines goes all the way through and out for a throw.
Great passing from the hosts. Jagielka looks for Coleman, who plays a neat one-two with Mirallas, but cannot find a blue shirt with his cross. Still Everton dominate though.
Free-kick for Everton on the left, Baines stands over it...
Yellow card Defoe! The striker is booked for creeping forward in the wall. Tottenham clear their lines from the delivery.
The game has become a little scrappy in the last few minutes, with a number of fouls and misplaced passes. Spurs try to create some possession as Dembele thinks he's fouled by Fellaini, but nothing given. Vertonghen is annoyed and rugby tackles Coleman. He is booked for his troubles.
Spurs continuing to defend crosses well as Gallas heads away from a deep Baines delivery.
Chance for Everton! Really well worked by the visitors. Baines passes into Fellaini, who holds off a challange to lay off Osman. He shoots from a tight angle on the left and it's wide, but really good football.
Pienaar slides in hard on Lennon and Everton work a throw on the left after Spurs looked to get the winger in. Dempsey defends well against Coleman, and the Irishman can only take the ball out for a throw.
Yellow card Baines! Cynical from Baines. He's beaten to it by Lennon and his slide takes the winger out. He can have no complaints.
Fantastic defending by Defoe! He tracks Coleman all the way down the flank and slides in. Certainly not a striker's tackle that, he timed it perfectly.
Huge shout for handball! Appeals against Dempsey as he challenges Osman. He lifts his arm but it's clearly off his shoulder.
Chance for Mirallas! Spicing up this! Another appeal for handball against Gallas, but it would have been harsh, before Mirallas cuets all the way to the left and it's blocked. Then Osman gets an even better chance which was beating Lloris until Caulker blocks for a corner!
It's really desperate stuff from Spurs at the moment as Walker hacks away from the corner after a scramble.
Everton 0-0 Spurs
Boos ring out, directed at Kevin Friend for refusing to give those two penalties. It's funny what you see as a fan - from a neutral point of view the referee got both calls spot on.
I have to say Spurs were not fortunate with either penalty shout, but but they are slightly lucky to be level at the break. Everton have had by far the better chances and would be ahead but for a great challenge by Lloris and a superb Caulker block late in the half.
Oh, and Mirallas's wastefulness when all he had to do was play the ball in front of Jelavic.
At the other end Howard was called into action twice but the shots from Dembele and Dempsey were comfortable.
For a summary of the action in the first 45, have a read of Barney Corkhill's half-time report here.
So with the teams a few minutes away from restarting, there's not much sign of who will take this. Everton have been better, but there's been enough of a threat from Dembele in particular that you'd be foolish to write off Spurs.
My player of the half, however, was Coleman. Very much most of what the Toffees did well in the half came down the right, and it was frequently Coleman bursting forward rather than Mirallas.
There's a change at the break for Everton, as Steven Naismith replaces Mirallas.
Tottenham kick off for the second half.
Strength from Dempsey early on by Lennon then gives the ball away. It ends up back with Lloris via Fellaini and Gallas.
Free-kick here in a dangerous position. Sandro goes through the back of Osman to win the ball. You can't slide in from behind and not expect to give away a foul. Osman, Baines, Pienaar? It's more for a right-footer.
Chance for Everton! Baines hits it against the well and Spurs are slow to push up as Baines's second effort heads wide, but Naismith is there - he puts it wide! Great chance.
Chance for Everton! Jelavic gets a good block in after Pienaar had cut back to Jelavic.
A very rare mishit pass from Dembele there - perhaps because it was on his right foot? Either way a good bit of possession from the away side ends with a throw.
Walker bursts through about four challenges to find Lennon, but Everton defend the cross. Still Spurs press, however, with a Sandro effort deflected wide.
Corner from nothing for Spurs as Gallas winds up from 40 yards and his shot is deflected wide by Naismith.
Really awful, terrible delivery from Walker. It doesn't bounce until it's gone way past the box.
Jelavic goes for a one-two with Fellaini in a great position but the Belgian's return pass is shocking. He's not done a lot after my pre-match hype..
Free kick for Spurs in a good position. Dempsey is clipped as he pulls his leg back to shoot by Gibson. 25 yards out here, with Vertonghen looking the favourite to shoot.
Save by Howard! It is indeed Vertonghen. He strikes it very hard but it's quite central and Howard has to get a firm hand on it to push it over.
Still Spurs press and Dembele glides into space to set up Lennon for a cross, which is blocked for a corner.
Vertonghen wins the header from Walker's corner but it's down Howard's throat.
Dempsey gives the ball away and Coleman gets his first chance to cross of the half. However Caulker heads away well.
A tidy turn from Osman in midfield creates space, and Fellaini finds Pienaar. The South African's ball into the box is a shocker, however. He's really not had a good game.
Almost a beautifully crafted move from Everton. Fellaini is wide on the right and backheels to Pienaar, who gives it back. Fellaini's pass into the box is too hard for Baines, however.
Really risky pass from Walker and Fellaini and Naismith with it back. However Coleman's pass to Naismith is too long. Coleman wins a free kick, which Fellaini collects and heads on target but it's easy for Lloris.
Everton are just getting back on top of this after Spurs came out strongly to start the half. It's very evenly-poised.
Dempsey again is brought down after being knocked over in a shoulder-to-shoulder challenge. Not a great deal in it really.
Walker clips in the free-kick but Everton break through Pienaar. He's easily tackled by Walker, however. Both defences remain on top.
Chance for Everton! Gibson drives forward and Naismith flicks onto Coleman. He gets a second bite at the cross and Lloris clears with a punch. Baines is allowed space to cut back to Osman on the edge of the box but he lifts it high. Good chance.
Everton edging some pressure now, but Spurs are dealing with it well as Fellaini's pass in the box goes astray after solid defending by Caulker.
Then Jelavic is crowded out in the box and Dembele nicks it from Fellaini. Dembele has been Spurs' best player so far and possibly the best in the game.
Walker goes down a couple of strides too late there and goes down, but it's a free kick and Osman goes into the book.
He takes the free-kick himself and it's too long again. Naismith tries to break and is pulled back by Dembele.
Substitution for Spurs: Lennon, who has been kept very quiet, comes off for Tom Huddlestone. An interesting move and it will need a shift in the midfield.
It's hit a bit of a lull, this game. Both defences are incredibly solid and it's not such a great spectacle at the moment.
Save by Lloris! Neat passing by Everton as they try to create space but Spurs are closing every angle. It eventually comes to Osman who tries to curl into the bottom corner but Lloris gets both hands on it to push it away from the danger area.
Dembele so strong on the ball as always and draws a foul from Pienaar.
GOAL! Everton 0-1 Spurs (Dempsey)
Out of nothing, Dempsey works a few yards from outside the box. It takes a flick of Distin's boot and loops over Howard. Without that it might not have gone in, but it has and Spurs lead late on.
Substitution for Spurs: Gylfi Sigurdsson comes on for the excellent Dembele.
David Moyes cannot believe it and the players seem shellshocked. This could be Everton's first home league defeat of the season. Everton have had by far the better chances but they couldn't make them pay and have been punished.
Caulker again solid as Naismith looks to get in behind.
Adebayor is back defending. Looks like he wants to get involved as he hasn't been so far.
Osman mishits a cross on the left after being found by Baines, which is his last action. Apostolos Vellios comes on to replace the English midfielder.
Sloppy from Pienaar as he misdirects a pass aimed at Baines straight to Walker.
Dempsey has his hands full of Coleman's shirt there as the right-back looks to break. Everton not creating anything now, they seem to have run out of ideas.
Sigurdsson hits the bar! A wonderful curling effort from outside the box from the Icelandic hits the bar. So unlucky. Iago Falque comes on for Defoe, who has been anonymous.
Frustrated groans all around Goodison now as Fellaini underhits a pass yet again.
Delicious outside-of-the-foot pass from Dempsey gets to Vertonghen, but Howard gathers the low cross.
Everton haven't created anything since the goal and look sluggish now with little urgency.
Everton thumping long into the Spurs half now but it keeps coming back to them.
GOAL! Everton 1-1 Spurs (Pienaar)
Well, the most unlikely scorer on the pitch has levelled it! Coleman is found well by Naismith and he crosses towards the back of the box for Pienaar, of all people, to head low past Lloris!
GOAL! Everton 2-1 Spurs (Jelavic)
Wow, wow, wow! Again it's in from Coleman. Vellios flicks it on and Jelavic anticipates the touch and slots into the bottom corner. Unbelievable!
Jelavic comes off for John Heitinga and earns a huge round of applause and high-fives from anyone who's willing. Great celebrations from the Toffees bench.
Superb touch from Coleman to beat Dempsey to the ball and that must be that.
Everton 2-1 Spurs
What an incredible last 15 minutes, and especially last five! Everton looked to be falling to a somewhat undeserved home defeat before two goals inside two stoppage time minutes gave them all three points!
That's all from me. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for that incredible game.
Written by
Matt Domm
Matt Domm
