Tottenham Hotspurs reign as the “unofficial Premier League Champions” is over after Seamus Coleman inspired Everton to victory against title-dreaming Spurs, outshining fellow winger Gareth Bale, who picked up a back injury.
Coleman headed in on 75 minutes after Heurelho Gomes saved a Louis Saha effort, to continue his fine. The youngster scored in the 3-3 comeback against Tottenham last season, on his home debut.
Saha gave the host an early lead after just three minutes, firing low past Gomes from outside the box, ending the Frenchman's dismal 24-league match barren streak.
But Spurs soon levelled, Alan Hutton's 11th-minute cross was knocked across goal by Peter Crouch and headed in at point blank range by Rafael van der Vaart.
Spurs should have taken the lead minutes before the break, but Crouch and Bale couldn't work out how to stay onside for a simple tap in, after Saha inexplicably gave the ball away.
Chances went begging for each team in this open game, in which referee Lee Probert was as lenient as they come. Many wild challenges went unpunished, with only one yellow card produced, while another ref could have used a red after the game threatened to boil over.
Redknapp's dream of winning the title is surely out of reach now, but they remain well placed to again compete for a Champions League place after Chelsea's poor recent form.
Everton go to Scunthorpe in the FA Cup so the title isn’t on the line at the weekend. The next title match for the Toffee’s will be 16th January and the Merseyside derby against Liverpool. Will Everton be playing against a managerless Liverpool team?
Line Ups:
Everton: 24-Howard, 03-Baines, 05-Heitinga, 08-Saha, 10-Arteta, 15-Distin, 18-Neville, 20-Pienaar, 23-Coleman 25-Fellaini SUBS USED: 21-Osman, 22-Yakubu, 26-Rodwell
Tottenham Hotspur: 01-Gomes, 02-Hutton, 03-Bale, 07-Lennon, 08-Jenas, 11-Van der Vaart, 13-Gallas, 14-Modric, 15-Crouch, 20-Dawson, 32-Assou-Ekotto SUBS USED: 10-Keane, 21-Kranjcar
Todays Other Scores:
Arsenal 0-0 Manchester City
Aston Villa 0-1 Sunderland: SU-Bardsley
Blackburn Rovers 3-1 Liverpool: BR-Benjani (2), Olsson; LI-Gerrard
Bolton Wanderers 1-1 Wigan Athletic: BW-Moreno; WA-Stam
Newcastle United 5-0 West Ham: NU-Best (3), Nolan, Lovenkrands
Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0 Chelsea: Bosingwa (og)
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