Everton's energy overwhelms Spurs

Tottenham Hotspur 1 Everton 3: Steve McClaren can have discovered very little he did not already know about the potential England…

Tottenham Hotspur 1 Everton 3:Steve McClaren can have discovered very little he did not already know about the potential England forwards he cast his eye over here. Perhaps his only surprise was to see Everton win easily to go top of the Premier League.

A performance laced with verve up front and steel at the back, and painted gloriously by the masterful Mikel Arteta's passing across midfield, has propelled the Merseysiders to a second successive win to start their season. Their organisation, resilience and constant attacking threat merited this comfortable success.

Tottenham's fans could barely comprehend just how emphatic defeat had been delivered. These sides had pursued fifth place doggedly last term before Spurs edged clear at the death. Spurs are playing catch-up again, the point-blank save mustered by Tim Howard from Jermain Defoe late on summing up the sense of desperation engulfing these parts.

Here McClaren had the form of a trio of potential England forwards on his mind with next week's friendly with Germany looming. Everton's Andrew Johnson confronted the home side's record signing in Darren Bent, while Defoe was again consigned initially to the bench. There was energy, industry and threat to admire from both starters.

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Spurs have the look of a side flung awkwardly together. Injuries have robbed them of first-choice centre-backs in Ledley King and Michael Dawson, while the €12 million signing Younes Kaboul lasted only 18 minutes before hobbling off, clutching a hamstring. Even the young Gareth Bale's absence is being felt at left-back, with Mikel Arteta revelling on Everton's right.

By the interval, the Spurs rearguard had disintegrated and Everton, a side more used to grinding out away wins, had careered into a blistering lead.

If there was incredulity on the home bench at the deficit, there was frustration in the stands. Arteta's glorious delivery had prised Spurs apart early on, his free-kick nodded down into the corner by Joleon Lescott, ignored by the grounded Anthony Gardner.

That was after only three minutes, and, although Gardner headed an equaliser - Lescott having proved just as obliging with his slack marking - the home side's respite was brief.

There is a vibrancy to this Everton team which is founded on a feverish work ethic. For all that Spurs were slick in their approach play - Bent and Dimitar Berbatov might have found reward - the visitors were direct and relentless.

Victor Anichebe might have scored earlier but, when Arteta found more space on the flank to chip in for the striker, the substitute Ricardo Rocha's clearance fell kindly for Leon Osman to gather and hammer in a second. Curtis Davies, desperate to leave West Bromwich Albion and a centre-half of real promise, is much needed.

For Spurs, there was more misery in stoppage-time in the first period. Alan Stubbs' free-kick flicked off Didier Zokora, who was tugged off the end of the wall by Lee Carsley, to fly into the corner with Paul Robinson static.

Their predicament demanded an immediate response, with Berbatov rising majestically to head Pascal Chimbonda's fine cross against a post.

That had Defoe warming up on the touchline. Defoe replaced Bent just after the hour, and Tottenham's hopes were pinned to the substitute.

Spurs began this season craving a fourth-place finish. Pointless after two games, such aspirations already seem too ambitious.

TOTTENHAM:Robinson, Chimbonda, Kaboul (Rocha 18), Gardner, Stalteri (Routledge 67), Zokora, Jenas, Malbranque, Keane, Berbatov, Bent (Defoe 61). Subs not used: Cerny, Huddlestone. Booked: Malbranque, Jenas. Goals: Gardner 26.

EVERTON:Howard, Hibbert, Yobo, Stubbs, Lescott, Osman, Neville, Carsley, Arteta, Johnson, Anichebe (Jagielka 80). Subs not used: Ruddy, McFadden, Nuno Valente, Pienaar. Goals: Lescott 3, Osman 37, Stubbs 45.

Referee: Mark Halsey (Lancashire).