FULL-TIME REPORT: Everton 2-2 Spurs - Saha & Cahill Goals Stun Tottenham

Everton have drawn 2-2 with Tottenham Hotspur in a thrilling Premier League encounter at Goodison Park on Sunday afternoon.

Second-half strikes from Jermain Defoe and Michael Dawson gave a two-goal lead to Harry Redknapp’s side, while Louis Saha pulled a goal back for The Toffees in the 78th to give hope to the home-side.

The goal gave Everton a much needed boost and Tim Cahill scored an equaliser in the 86th minute to force a thrilling end to the match.

Spurs had a chance to seal the win from the penalty-spot after Wilson Palacios was fouled by Tony Hibbert in the 2nd minute of injury-time, but Jermain Defoe’s spot-kick was saved by Tim Howard, and the scores remained level at 2-2.

Everton were without John Heitinga, who is suspended for the match, while Sylvain Distin is out with a hamstring strain. Joseph Yobo passed a late fitness test to start the match, although he only managed to play 14 minutes before being substituted.

Everton boss David Moyes had striker Jo fit to start the match, with Diniyar Bilyaletdinov and Jack Rodwell also starting.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp was without centre-back’s Ledley King and Jonathan Woodgate, while Niko Kranjcar, Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe all started for Spurs.

The game started at a decent pace, with Everton looking the more confident in the opening minutes, and Huerelho Gomes being forced into action early-on.

Tottenham’s first attempt at goal came in the 8th minute, but Spurs striker Peter Crouch shot over the bar from inside the penalty area, with Jermaine Defoe forcing a decent save from Everton keeper Tim Howard a minute later.

Joseph Yobo was substituted in the 15th minute, he was replaced by Seamus Coleman for the remainder of the match, with the Nigerian defender unable to continue.

Jack Rodwell was the first player to be booked, for a foul on Spurs midfielder Niko Kranjcar in the 19th minute as the game got more combative.

Jack Rodwell had his shot saved by Tim Howard before Jo saw his shot go just wide of Howard’s left-post while, at the other end, Peter Crouch forced Gomes to be alert.

Jermain Defoe had another excellent chance to open the scoring just after the half-hour mark after a nice piece of interplay from the visitors, but the England striker shot wide to the left of the Spurs goal.

Referee Andre Marriner was called into action again in the 37th minute after a tangle between Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Tim Cahill, with Maroune Fellaini and Assou-Ekotto both seeing yellow cards for their indiscretions.

Tim Howard almost fumbled the ball inside the area as the first-half came to a close, but the Everton defence managed to clear the ball to safety.

The first-half finished 0-0, with neither side really deserving a lead at the break.

Gareth Bale replaced Assou-Ekotto for the second-half of the match, where Spurs immediately took control of the match.

The opening goal came within seconds of the beginning of the second-half, with Jermain Defoe scoring for Tottenham Hotspur.

The England striker was on hand at the near-post to flick a cross from Aaron Lennon past Tim Howard from close-range to make it 1-0 to the visitors.

Tottenham almost doubled the scoreline minutes later, but Gomes managed to get the slightest of touches to put the ball wide.

Michael Dawson doubled the score for Spurs just before the hour-mark with a superb diving header from 6-yards to connect onto a pinpoint cross from Niko Kranjcar that left Howard no chance of saving.

Everton made a double substitution in the 62nd minute, with Jack Rodwell replaced by striker Yakubu, while fellow striker Louis Saha came on for Jo.

Yakubi Aiyegbeni had his first shot at goal in the 74th minute, but his shot was tame and was easily picked-up by Gomes, while at the other end of the pitch, Gareth Bale saw his free-kick go just wide of Tim Howard’s left-post.

Everton pulled a goal back in the 78th minute to give the home-side a lifeline in the match.

The French striker was on-hand on the edge of the six-yard box to slam an excellent cross from Seamus Coleman past Gomes and into the roof of the net to make it 1-2.

Minutes later Saha almost drew the scores level with a superb overhead kick, but his shot went just wide of the Tottenham Hotspur goal.

Everton really were in the ascent as the game drew to a close, causing all kinds of problems for the Spurs defence.

The equaliser came in the 87th minute, with Tim Cahill scoring the leveller for Everton.

The Australian was available in the middle of the penalty area to head home a Leighton Baines cross to make it 2-2 and force a thrilling end to the match.

A penalty was awarded to Tottenham Hotspur in the 2nd minute of injury-time after Wilson Palacios was fouled by Tony Hibbert, but Jermain Defoe’s tame spot-kick was saved by Tim Howard, to keep the scores level at 2-2.

The match finished 2-2, with Everton fully deserving the draw after their late rally, while Spurs will feel that they threw two-points away.

Spurs remain in 4th in the EPL, while Everton move up to 15th place in the league, with16 points from their 15 matches so far.

Everton v Tottenham Hotspur Full Teamsheets:

Everton Team: Howard, Hibbert, Baines, Yobo, Neill, Bilyaletdinov, Cahill, Pienaar, Fellaini, Rodwell (Yakubu, 62), Jo (Saha, 62).

Everton Substitutes Not Used: Nash, Coleman, Shane Duffy, Agard, Baxter.

Spurs Team: Gomes, Bassong, Dawson, Corluka, Assou-Ekotto (Bale, 46), Huddlestone, Lennon, Palacios (Hutton, 90+4), Kranjcar (Jenas, 88), Crouch, Defoe.

Spurs Substitutes Not Used: Alnwick, Bentley, Pavyluchenko, Keane.