Everton hold Spurs

Aaron Lennon scored against his former club as Everton displayed rediscovered resolve in a 1-1 draw at home to Champions League-chasing Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

Everton had lost their two previous home games, 3-2 against Leicester City and 4-3 against Stoke City, but they took a 22nd-minute lead when Lennon converted Romelu Lukaku's knock-down with a neatly controlled half-volley.

Dele Alli deftly volleyed home a brilliant equaliser in first-half stoppage time, but it was Everton who finished the game nursing the greater regrets, with substitute Muhamed Besic going close.

Everton remain 11th, nine points below Mauricio Pochettino's Tottenham, who squandered an opportunity to re-establish a five-point lead over fifth-place Manchester United.

Instead their cushion in the final Champions League berth has been trimmed to three points, while they now trail leaders -- and arch rivals -- Arsenal by six.

Spurs looked every inch the team chasing a fourth straight win as they established the tempo on a rain-slicked Goodison Park pitch, monopolising possession and forcing Everton deep into their own territory.

Seamus Coleman did brilliantly to prevent Alli turning in a low cross from Kyle Walker before Harry Kane saw a languid 25-yard shot hit the left-hand post and bounce across goal before going out for a goal-kick.

But mid-way through the half Everton landed a sucker-punch by going ahead with a delightfully constructed goal.