Spurs Frustrated by Everton

Tim Howard produced a string of excellent saves to earn Everton a 0-0 Barclays Premier League draw at Tottenham Hotspur.

The hosts had the better of the match at White Hart Lane, only to be frustrated by a mixture of wayward finishing and some superb shot-stopping from the Everton goalkeeper. Howard denied Harry Kane, Ryan Mason and Toby Alderweireld, while Nacer Chadli blasted a close-range effort over as Spurs' winless start to the league season was extended to four matches.

Everton struggled to test Hugo Lloris in the Spurs goal, apart from an early effort from Tom Cleverley.

Before the match home faithful were introduced to the club's new signing, Son Heung-min, who was paraded around the pitch after his big-money move from Bayer Leverkusen.

After a quiet opening it was Everton who fired the first warning shot, Cleverley pouncing on Kyle Walker's error before forcing a fine stop from Lloris in the 17th minute.

Mauricio Pochettino's men could have taken the lead midway through the half when Kane was sent racing clear, but Howard stood tall and thwarted the England striker. Howard came to the rescue again to deny Mason following an excellent through-ball from Chadli as the hosts started to get on the front foot.

Alderweireld was next to call the American goalkeeper into action with a header from Mason's right-wing corner.

Cleverley's match came to a premature end just before the break after a crunching challenge from Eric Dier, with Roberto Martinez bringing on Kevin Mirallas in his place.

Spurs looked to force the issue early in the second half and caused panic in Everton's six-yard box as Kane looked to get on the end of Mousa Dembele's cross. The Belgium midfielder stayed down injured after twisting awkwardly when providing the delivery and Dele Alli came on to replace him.

Howard reprised his role as Everton's saviour in the 55th minute, getting down low to his right to save from Mason.

It was poor finishing that frustrated Spurs 10 minutes later, with Chadli blazing over with Howard prone having dived early following a Kane shot that was blocked.

Pochettino's side, who did the double over Everton last term, were almost made to pay for their profligacy in the closing stages when Arouna Kone nodded Bryan Oviedo's cross narrowly wide.

Kane's day was summed up when he finally found the back of the net, only to see a flag raised for offside as the Englishman's search for a first goal of the campaign continued.