Fans Match Report By Graeme Holmes

Taking all factors into consideration, most of us will agree that it was a point gained rather than 2 lost

None of our rivals gained any ground on us, which was important. Spurs are playing well at present and have been scoring freely, so to keep a clean sheet was important, which we did without any major concerns. The non-availability of players meant our team virtually picked itself, but Baines and Valente did a good doubling up defensive job to stifle any attacking threat from Lennon, and Jags and Roger had Berbatov and Keane in their pocket.

Our problem at present is the loss of so many of our attack minded players. The free scoring pre-christmas team was built on selecting virtually the same team every week, without the need for rotation. We could easily fit 1 or 2 players in when others were unavailable, but we have seen since the turn of the year that we struggle when we have to make more wholesale changes particularly when going forward. Before the end of the year we scored 20 in 7 games at GP, but since then we have scored just 1 in 4, and that is down to the loss of scoring threats such as Cahill and Yakubu, and the creation and vision of Pienaar and Osman. When you lose 4 of your main attacking threats you are bound to suffer, and unfortunately for us, it has all come at the same time. However, we continue to pick up points, and 10 in 4 League games since the turn of the year is excellent given the above circumstances

Other more slighter concerns for me is the apparent dip in form of Arteta and Carsley in the last couple of games, and hopefully that is due to the loss of their more familiar colleagues than the introduction of Manny Fernandes. AJ continues to struggle, not only in front of goal, but also with his control and touch. Hopefully a trip to Blackburn and a more open game, might be more to his liking

So, having kept it tight at the back, the couple of chances to win the game were spurned by AJ, and a stand side linesman who missed a blatant trip by Huddlestone on AJ in the 1st half, but on a night of NOBLE performances in the fight for 4th place, we continue to head in the right direction. Graeme Holmes

Moyesy says: "I'm pleased with a point. We are little bit short of players at the moment, but I was really pleased with the effort and it was a great point. 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."

* Gonna be close i think. Blues to win 1-0. COYB Grego IOM.

Moyesy has to contend with the African Nations, injury and suspension as a rejuvenated Spurs visit Goodison. The African trio of The Yak, Peanuts and Joey will all be home sooner than expected, but unfortunately not in time for this clash. Ossie is doubtful with a groin strain, along with Leighton Baines and his ropey feet. Tiny and Hibbo are definitely out with suspensions. Its not all doom and gloom though, as for the first time in years we actually have a decent squad, so Manny, Big Vic and alike will come in me thinks to take up the slack. Mikky Arteta will be a definite starter and hopefully after a quiet time of late he will turn on the magic again to push the Blues nearer to Champions League Qualification.

Moyesy will be pitting his wits against the man he hopes to succeed in winning the UEFA Cup. Spurs Manager Juande Ramos has won the UEFA Cup two years on the spin whilst at Sevilla, a honour Moyesy will be chasing hard this season. This also could have been a Dress Rehearsal for the Carling Cup Final after Spurs thrashed local rivals The Arse last week, but alas we could not do our own job on Holders Chelsea.

Moyesy says: "Leon has got a calf and a groin injury so we’ll assess him tomorrow to see if we think he can come out. We need him because we’re short of numbers now. He's had a very good season. I think the last couple of games he's been a little bit quieter but because of a lack of numbers and Steven Pienaar being away it's forced us to put him back in a little earlier than we’d like too.

We know were in for a hard time as they’re going well just now. I hoped it’d be a warm up for the cup final but it wasn’t to be. We know Tottenham are going well and they’ve got good players but we’ve been playing very well this season so we’ll just keep on doing what were doing. I think he (Ramos) took over a very good bunch of players. I don’t think there’s been an awful lot of changes to the team that Martin Jol had, but maybe he’s changed the style that they are playing and the way he’s changing things around behind the scenes will help bring Ramos the success that he had at Sevilla. But last time out we played very well and it gave us a lot of confidence but we know we’re going to have to play very well again." (29/01/08)

Kipper's XI To Start: Howard, Lescott, Jagielka, Neville, Valente, Carsley, Osman, Arteta, Fernandes, Anichebe, Johnson.

Everton from: Howard, Wessels, Lescott, Baines, Jagielka, Valente, Stubbs, Neville, Carsley, Arteta, Fernandes, Osman, Johnson, Anichebe, Vaughan

Last Season v Spurs

IF ANY EVERTON FAN WANTS TO WRITE A REPORT OF ANY OF THIS SEASON'S GAMES, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO DO SO. JUST E-MAIL IT TO info@bluekipper.com AND WE WILL PUT IT ON THE SITE.

* AJ for the first one in the onion bag at 5/1. He has a knack of netting against Spurs so nail it. Other than that the shite to still be shite, but the bookies are refusing all bets as its a nailed on banker.

Spurs could hand new signing Jonathan Woodgate an immediate debut. Michael Dawson is suspended following his red card in the FA Cup defeat at Manchester United on Sunday, but Pascal Chimbonda is available again his ban. England goal keeping misfit will be on the bench as some bloke called Cerny keeps his spot.

Spurs from: Cerny, Tainio, Woodgate, Huddlestone, Lee, Lennon, O'Hara, Jenas, Malbranque, Keane, Berbatov, Robinson, Kaboul, Gunter, Defoe, Boateng, Chimbonda.