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Spurs devour Toffees at White Hart Lane

Robbie Keane scored for Spurs tonight
Robbie Keane scored for Spurs tonight

Tottenham youngster Dean Marney inspired his side to a 5-2 rout of Everton today at White Hart Lane.

The midfielder was only playing because of injury to Michael Brown but he scored twice - his second a spectacular individual effort - and had a hand in two other goals as Spurs stretched their unbeaten run to seven games.

Reto Ziegler, Robbie Keane and Pedro Mendes also scored, while Tim Cahill gave his side hope with a strike just before half-time and James McFadden scored a late consolation - but the day belonged to Marney.

Marney ensured Everton's jinx against London side's continued - their five defeats in the league coming against London teams - and dented David Moyes' hopes of Champions League qualification.

Fourth before the game, the Toffees have now lost consecutive games - and it is Spurs who are looking at a high finish.

Marney then seized the game and scored the opener after 15 minutes. Mendes' lofted ball from the halfway line was flicked on by Keane - and Marney lifted the ball over Richard Wright and into the top corner.

Everton nearly grabbed an equaliser when Tony Hibbert found room on the right wing. The full-back crossed and Naybet's clearance trickled just wide of Paul Robinson's post.

Spurs took advantage of this stroke of luck and added a second goal in the 27th minute. Erik Edman's throw from the left was flicked on by Kanoute and Reto Ziegler volleyed on the turn into Wright's far corner.

Inspired by Keane, Jol's side attacked with pace but could not find another opening. Everton were struggling for form attacks but almost grabbed one back eight minutes from half-time when Lee Carsley headed over from 12 yards after Marcus Bent's flick.

But they were not to be denied two minutes later when the home side failed to deal with Pistone's hopeful punt.

Cahill latched onto another Bent flick and finished low past Robinson to give his side hope of retrieving the game as they went into the break.

Four minutes later Mendes produced a moment of magic with a spectacular finish from the edge of the area after 59 minutes. Kanoute had tamed a cross from the right and laid the ball off to the Portugal midfielder, who checked back onto his favoured right foot and gave Wright no chance by finding the top corner with a precise finish.

McFadden tried to help Bent out but no clear-cut chances were created as the game moved into the final quarter.

However Keane added a fourth after 67 minutes with a simple finish after Marney had nutmegged Pistone and delivered a low cross.

Moyes responded by making a triple change - Lee Osman, Kevin Campbell and Gary Naysmith on for Pistone, Kilbane and Bent - but the substitutions could not halt Tottenham's surge.

In the 73rd minute Ziegler went on a run on the left and Wright had to be down at his near post to save. Three minutes later Kanoute almost added a fifth but Wright again was down smartly.

King nearly added a late goal but headed over from a corner with 10 minutes remaining. But Marney then wrapped the victory after picking up the ball from 40 yards and hitting a curling a fantastic 25-yarder around Wright.

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