Source: Liverpool_Echo
Tottenham Hotspur 2 Everton FC 0 - James Pearce's verdict
DAVID MOYES took a vow of silence last night but his face told a thousand words.[LNB]The fuming Everton manager's fears that a third game inside six days would prove a step too far for his injury-ravaged side were realised as they tumbled out of the Carling Cup at White Hart Lane.[LNB]Moyes' decision not to face the media was his way of hitting back at competition organisers who had treated his club with such contempt.[LNB]How galling that a genuine opportunity to end his eight-year search for silverware was effectively wrecked by such an impossible schedule.[LNB]After the thrashing at the hands of Benfica and the last-gasp agony at Bolton, a third successive defeat came in the form of capital punishment.[LNB]The defensive frailties which have dogged the Blues this season proved to be their undoing once again.[LNB]There was no questioning the desire or work rate but lapses in concentration by a makeshift back four were punished by a Spurs side eyeing a third successive final appearance.[LNB]Fatigue undoubtedly played a part but there is no getting away from the fact that 10 goals conceded in three games is an alarming statistic.[LNB]Just as they did at Bolton on Sunday Everton shot themselves in the foot.[LNB]Things could have been very different had the visitors managed to convert a number of gilt-edged chances prior to goals from Tom Huddlestone and Robbie Keane.[LNB]But they couldn't find a way past an inspired Heurelho Gomes and ultimately bowed out meekly.[LNB]The Blues had tasted victory on their three previous trips to Spurs but with their squad stretched to breaking point this was always going to be a tall order.[LNB]Moyes was at least boosted by the return of Yakubu after he missed the weekend defeat at Bolton with a heel injury.[LNB]In the only change to Everton's line up the Nigerian striker got the nod ahead of out-of-sorts frontman Jo.[LNB]John Heitinga and Tim Cahill both shrugged off knocks but the Blues were still without no fewer than 10 first team stars with Leighton Baines, Leon Osman, Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, Joseph Yobo and Steven Pienaar ruled out along with long-term absentees Phil Neville, Mikel Arteta, Victor Anichebe, Phil Jagielka and James Vaughan.[LNB]Moyes wasn't the only one with problems as Spurs boss Harry Redknapp was without a host of injured stars including Jonathan Woodgate, Aaron Lennon, Peter Crouch, Ledley King, Luka Modric and Giovani dos Santos, while Jermain Defoe was suspended and Niko Kranjcar cup-tied.[LNB]Redknapp made five changes from their weekend defeat to Stoke but such is the depth of the resources at his disposal that he was able to call up Alan Hutton, Gareth Bale, David Bentley, Roman Pavlyuchenko and Michael Dawson, who cost a combined total of £47million.[LNB]Everton started brightly with strike duo Saha and Yakubu proving a real handful for Dawson and Sebastien Bassong, while Jack Rodwell stamped his authority in midfield and spread play intelligently.[LNB]Marouane Fellaini's clever flick created an early opening for Louis Saha but Gomes was alert to tip his acrobatic effort over the bar.[LNB]For 20 minutes Everton - playing for the first time in their limited edition purple kit in aid of Liverpool Unites - were the better side but they couldn't sustain it.
