A Seamus Coleman inspired Everton side claimed an ever-so-valuable victory in an enthralling match at Goodison Park tonight.
A first Louis Saha goal in nearly 11 months set Everton on their way before Van der Vaart equalised just 8 minutes later. The match was won just 15 minutes from time as Coleman nodded into an empty net after Heurelho Gomes could only parry Louis Saha's effort into his path.
David Moyes opted to go 4-4-2 in the absence of Tim Cahill, away with Australia on international duty, and he reaped the rewards of this positivity.
Everton were fully deserving of their win, creating a considerable amount of chances. Their 9 shots on target compared to Tottenham's 4 reflects the proceedings well but Tottenham were always in the game until Coleman's relatively late winner.
The opening was dominated by an Everton team full of flair and enterprise, the hosts peppering the Spurs box with a flurry of dangerous crosses and their reward came soon after.
Just 3 minutes in, Baines' pass from the touchline found Saha with space to advance towards Gomes' goal and from 25 yards, unleash a sumptuous drive into the bottom corner.
It's been a long time coming: Louis Saha celebrates his opening goal for Everton,
his first goal in nearly 11 months.
However, this was the catalyst for Spurs to take the initiative as they piled the pressure on the Toffees in search of an equaliser. And equalise they did, when in the 11th minute Peter Crouch's header across the 6 yard box for Rafael Van der Vaart ended up in the inevitable as the Dutchman headed in past the defeated Tim Howard.
Van der Vaart- who continues his outstanding debut Premier League season- was a constant menace for Everton, providing the kind of creativty and flair that the blues are still awaiting from Mikel Arteta who put in another disappointing performance.
It was Van der Vaart who felt the wrath of the Gwladys Street Evertonians as he celebrated overzealously infront of them and the bad feeling continued after a moment of controversy.
Steven Pienaar won a free kick and tapped the ball aside for Sylvain Distin to take, as Van der Vaart stole away with the ball and expertly chipped the ball over Tim Howard and into the net, only for his effort to be ruled out by a Lee Probert confident in his decision.
The best chance of the half then fell to Jermaine Beckford who, although leaning back, should have re-established Everton's lead when the ball fell at his feet 8 yards out with just Gomes to beat.
After half time the game continued in the same manner as the first, with both teams pushing for the win but Everton showing the greater threat. This was demonstrated when, in the 50th minute, Seamus Coleman found himself marauding into the box with just Gomes to beat after Spurs committed players forward, only for the young Irishman to shoot tamely at the 'keeper.
Louis Saha went on to pass up two opportunities to restore Everton's lead, the second of which was well diverted by Alan Hutton away from goal, but it was that man Van der Vaart who went closest to scoring what might have been a winning goal.
Excellent work from Luka Modric in the box lead to the Croatian international laying the ball off to the onrushing Van der Vaart whos first time side-footed effort was straight at the grateful Tim Howard.
And he would go on to regret that miss as Seamus Coleman ensured only Everton's third win in ten home games.
Everton broke at a speed much akin to Spurs themselves and Jermaine Beckford released Louis Saha through on goal with Michael Dawson to contend with. As he advanced with the ball, he shifted it onto his left foot 20 yards out and Gomes should have done better in dealing with the shot, only parrying to the inspired Seamus Coleman who nodded home and sent the home fans into raptures.
Cutting the mustard: Coleman grabs the winner after an impressive performance.
The fans braced themselves for a nervy last 15 minutes but in truth Everton looked relatively comfortable, breaking up Tottenham's attacks with ease and keeping the ball nicely. They could, and should have even extended their lead when Yakubu passed up a glorious chance to finish Spurs off, stuttering and getting the ball stuck under his feet before shooting tamely at Gomes.
As the final whistle blew, the elation of the home support showed, and rightly so. The Evertonians have endured something of a nightmare season so far, worsened by the ever-growing confidence and sky-high aspirations built up in pre-season.
However they, David Moyes and the players will hope to use this result as a springboard to climb up the table, with only 5 points separating them from 7th placed Bolton, on whom they have a game in hand. And with the troubles over the park at Liverpool being highlighted further tonight after a dire 3-1 defeat at the hands of Blackburn, Everton will need to capitalise on the disarray at Anfield and beat their rivals who they face in what is building up to be an intriguing encounter on the 16th of January.
Written by Sam Mackie on the 5th of January 2011.
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