Everton 0-0 Tottenham

Everton stay in fourth place in the Premier League after a dour goalless draw against Spurs at Goodison Park.

Jonathan Woodgate shone on his Spurs' debut after his £7m move from Middlesbrough as defences dominated.

Everton created the better chances, and Spurs' keeper Radek Cerny saved well from striker Andrew Johnson either side of the interval.

Spurs improved as the game went on, but only threatened when Robbie Keane shot tamely at Everton keeper Tim Howard.

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Woodgate was kept busy as Everton held the edge in a tight first 45 minutes, showing why coach Juande Ramos added him to an inconsistent Spurs defence.

Keane gave Howard an anxious moment with an overhead kick in the 24th minute, but it was a rare threat to the Everton keeper.

Johnson almost capitalised on Victor Anichebe's header, but Spurs cleared the danger, and it needed a desperate interception from Woodgate to block a close-range effort from Leighton Baines after 27 minutes.

Johnson then tested keeper Cerny with a shot on the turn after good work by Phil Neville.

The Everton striker had furious penalty appeals turned away when he fell under Tom Huddlestone's challenge, but referee Andre Marriner felt the collision was accidental and waved play on.

Everton started the second half in the same attacking vein, with Mikel Arteta flashing a shot across the face of goal after 48 minutes, with Anichebe just failing to apply the crucial touch.

Spurs had their best opportunity when Neville gifted possession to Dimitar Berbatov, but Keane's shot was comfortably saved by Howard.

Cerny came to Spurs' rescue after 62 minutes when Johnson was released by a superb pass from Manuel Fernandes. It looked a certain goal, but Cerny produced a crucial block.

Spurs showed greater attacking intent after the break, and the outstanding Phil Jagielka blocked Berbatov bravely after Aaron Lennon's cross.

And Spurs had their own appeals for a penalty waved away in the closing stages when Steed Malbranque felt he had been fouled by Joleon Lescott, but again referee Marriner was unmoved.

"I thought there was a bit of tiredness near the end, but we have been on a good run. We've had the African Cup of Nations boys away, but we have won two league games and drawn one.

"Hopefully we will get them back soon and kick on from there."

"He was tight when he needed to be and made great decisions. Sometimes the good players are the ones that make the best decisions and Woody does that. We were very pleased with him."

Everton: Howard, Neville, Jagielka, Lescott, Nuno Valente, Arteta, Carsley, Fernandes, Baines, Johnson, Anichebe (Vaughan 71).
Subs Not Used: Wessels, Van der Meyde, Stubbs, Anderson.

Booked: Nuno Valente.

Tottenham: Cerny, Chimbonda, Huddlestone, Woodgate, Gunter (Boateng 62), Lennon, Jenas, O'Hara, Malbranque, Berbatov, Keane.
Subs Not Used: Robinson, Lee, Defoe, Rocha.

Booked: Woodgate.

Att: 35,840

Ref: Andre Marriner (W Midlands).

BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match: Spurs' Jonathan Woodgate 7.62 (on 90 minutes).