Stalemate at Goodison

Everton failed to take full advantage of neighbours Liverpool's indifferent run of form as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Spurs.

With Liverpool losing at West Ham, Everton could have been sitting pretty in fourth spot in the Barclays Premier League table, five points ahead of their troubled city rivals.

But in the end Everton had to settle for just one point and a lead of three over the Anfield side in the table.

Tottenham had the outstanding Jonathan Woodgate making his debut and the north Londoners - who can only qualify realistically for Europe by winning the Carling Cup - were able to almost cruise to a point.

Leighton Baines started on the left of midfield, and he managed the first shot of the night, a 20-yard effort which was claimed by Radek Cerny.

Steed Malbranque responded with an overhead kick which was held by Tim Howard as the game, if not the night, warmed up.

Victor Anichebe and Baines then had shots blocked in the six-yard box, before Phil Neville's cross reached Andrew Johnson - but his shot on the turn was held by Cerny.

Two minutes into the second half Mikel Arteta worked his way past three defenders in the box to reach the line before firing a low cross into the six-yard box - and Anichebe's lunge missed connecting by inches.

Robbie Keane's 15-yard effort was then claimed by Howard, the ball reaching him after Phil Neville gave the ball away to Dimitar Berbatov.

Cerny then produced the best save of the night, diving smartly to his left to block a Johnson effort from eight yards. Spurs produced good pressure towards the end, with Berbatov seeing a header from a Lennon run and cross saved by Howard, but neither side deserved all three points.