Emmanuel Adebayor’s second-half strike gave Tottenham a 1-0 Premier League home win over Everton on Sunday.
Spurs’ Togo international frontman was able to make the breakthrough when he brought down Kyle Walker’s chipped free-kick in the 65th minute and fired past Tim Howard.
The victory at White Hart Lane moved Tim Sherwood’s side above the Toffees into fifth spot, three points behind Liverpool.
Andros Townsend returned to the Spurs squad after seven weeks out. The England winger suffered a hamstring injury against West Ham on December 18 and was named among the substitutes, where Mousa Dembele replaced Roberto Soldado in the starting line-up.
Everton made three changes after beating Aston Villa, bringing in Seamus Coleman, Steven Pienaar and Steven Naismith for John Stones, Aiden McGeady and Ross Barkley, who all dropped to the bench alongside the fit-again Gerard Deulofeu and Lacina Traore.
In the first half, Everton were the better side and should have taken the lead through Leon Osman. The midfielder was presented with several chances but couldn’t find a way past Hugo Lloris.
After the break, Spurs came into the contest and took the lead with their first shot on target. Walker lofted a quickly-taken free-kick up to the edge of the box where Adebayor held off Coleman before drilling the ball low past Howard.
Both clubs are back in league action on Wednesday night. Everton host Crystal Palace, while Spurs travel north to face Newcastle.
