A virus has been sweeping through the Tottenham Hotpsur camp but they recovered more swiftly than Everton might have anticipated and this win leaves them looking in rude good health back in fourth position in the Premier League.

These teams had contrasting fortunes in Europe in the week and seemed to carry that form into the league, at least in the first half. It was Everton’s first defeat at White Hart Lane since 2005 and they had won on their last three visits here.

But it was far from easy for Spurs and they looked vulnerable after conceding a soft goal early in the second half which halved their 2-0 advantage at half-time.

Spurs took the lead after 11 minutes when Jermain Defoe crossed from the right for Roman Pavlyuchenko to slide in on the far post. It was one of few contributions from leading scorer Defoe and he was substituted halfway through the second half. Spurs appeared to have a comfortable hold on the game when they went 2-0 up in the 28th minute, Luke Modric receiving the ball from Niko Kranjcar to beat Tim Howard with a delightful, dipping shot which entered the goal via the underside of the bar.

But towards the end of the first half Everton gave warnings that they were still in the match and Jack Rodwell should have done better when he sent a free header wide from eight yards.

The Toffees did pull a goal back in the 55th minute when Yakubu Ayegbeni exploited hesitation by the entire Spurs defence. After that Everton missed a number of chances to equalise. Steven Pienaar intercepted a pass and raced through with only the goalkeeper to beat in the 73rd minute and Phil Jagielka sent another free header over in the 83rd.

But the best chance was spurned by substitute Landon Donovan. Rodwell crossed to him and he was unmarked beside the far post but still shot wide.

Premier LeagueTottenham HotspurEvertonPaul Weaverguardian.co.uk