Good afternoon and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the Premier League clash between Tottenham Hotspur and Everton at White Hart Lane.

This is a vital game for two sides with aspirations at the business end of the Premier League table. Spurs go into the match in third place, one point ahead of Arsenal in fourth, while the Toffees in sixth can move within two points of the Gunners with a win here today.

Team news incoming...

TOTTENHAM: Lloris, Walker, Caulker, Dawson, Vertonghen, Parker, Dembele, Sigurdsson, Holtby, Dempsey, Adebayor

SUBS: Friedel, Naughton, Assou-Ekotto, Livermore, Huddlestone, Carroll, Ceballos

EVERTON: Howard, Coleman, Baines, Heitinga, Distin, Jagielka, Gibson, Mirallas, Osman, Barkley, Anichebe

SUBS: Mucha, Jelavic, Oviedo, Naismith, Hitzlsperger, Stones, Duffy

No shortage of talking points among those line-ups. As expected, Gareth Bale misses out for Spurs after sustaining damaged ankle ligaments in Europe midweek. No doubt Everton breathed a sigh of relief when the team sheet came in!

Bale isn't the only notable absentee for the hosts, with Jermain Defoe and Aaron Lennon also missing out. Emmanuel Adebayor has the chance to shine as a lone striker in their absence.

Everton are also without a couple of big names as Marouane Fellaini and Steven Pienaar miss out through suspension. However, the visitors are boosted by the news that Kevin Mirallas has passed a fitness test to take up a place in the starting XI.

In other news, David Moyes has handed a rare start to teenage midfielder Ross Barkley and inconsistent forward Nikica Jelavic has dropped to the bench.

The Toffees have hit form at just the right time to mount a late challenge for a top four spot. They go into the game on a run of three straight wins, including an impressive 2-0 defeat of champions Manchester City.

Spurs, on the other hand, have been shaky of late, losing two of their last three in the league and narrowly avoiding defeat to Basel at home in the Europa League midweek. If their inconsistency continues, Everton could well be the benefactors come the end of the season.

Meanwhile, Everton's city rivals Liverpool are taking on West Ham United at home. That one kicked off moments ago, and you can follow it live here.

Tottenham's recent record against Everton does not bode particularly well for them. They have managed to defeat the Toffees just three times in their last 13 attempts, and have picked up more points away from home this season. However, of the 165 contests between these two, Spurs have won 60 to Everton's 55.

Some pre-match quotations coming up...

DAVID MOYES: "If you lose players like Gareth Bale it would be a loss to any team. It’s a loss, just like we haven’t got Marouane Fellaini or Steven Pienaar and I’m sure Tottenham will be pleased about that.

"It's unfortunate because we don't like big players to be out because they're part of the game and part of what makes the Premier League so special.

"But when you're the opposing manager against arguably the best player in the league at this moment in time, it's not a bad thing to have him out."

ANDRE VILLAS-BOAS: "We have suffered setbacks before and managed to jump out of them so let's wait and see.

"We've had [Bale's] absence before in different moments of the season and we had people stepping up to the game.

"When an injury happens to a player who has played most of the time it allows another player to step in. We have those players - Sigurdsson has gone back to his goalscoring form, scoring two during the internationals and once against Basel, and Holtby was also at a very, very good level."

PREDICTION: This is a very tough game to call considering both teams have key players out, and I'm going to have to sit on the fence and go with a 1-1 draw. Bale is missing for Spurs, but I think these two are evenly matched on paper.

For those who enjoy a bet, today's match odds are - Tottenham: 6/5, Everton: 12/5, draw: 23/10.

Little over five minutes to go until kickoff now. If you've just joined us, you can get yourself up to speed on today's team news here.

Everton emerged victorious when these two met at Goodison Park earlier in the season, but only just. Spurs led for much of the game. but Steven Pienaar netted a late equaliser and Nikica Jelavic scrambled home a stoppage-time winner. If this game comes close to recapturing that kind of drama, we are in for a treat.

KICKOFF: The match is now under way. Both teams are without their top scorers, but there is enough talent out there on the pitch for both sides to make an impact during the coming 90 minutes.

Oh my word, it's a dream start for Spurs! Everton allow Jan Vertonghen too much space along the left and he swings in a measured cross from Adebayor to scramble home from close range. What an explosive start to the afternoon!

Tottenham put Everton under further pressure as Dempsey attempts to force Jagielka into an error. The defender's backpass is an awkward one, forcing Tim Howard to come off his line to hit it clear.

Jagielka plays a long ball for Baines to chase and the wing-back wins a throw in. Dawson then puts it behind for Everton's first corner, which Mirallas swings in. Lloris makes the catch.

Walker and Barkley tussle along the right hand side, but the Everton youngester stands his ground and wins the goalkick. The visitors are struggling to get the ball out of their own half at the moment.

SHOT! Dawson gives the ball away in the danger zone and Osman almost punishes him with a curling effort from the edge of the box. The Everton midfielder struck it first time, but curled it just wide of the post.

Barkley powers down the right and drills the ball across goal towards Anichebe, but Dawson produces a vital block and puts it behind for an Everton corner.

Everton are back level! Leighton Baines swings in a corner from the right, and the Toffees captain rises at the back post to nod the ball beyond Lloris and make it 1-1. It was a tame header that caught the Spurs keeper off guard.

It's much quieter around White Hart Lane now, although the Everton fans are in good voice. Spurs carve out a half-chance through Dembele, who blazes a long-range effort into the stand.

Clint Dempsey shrugs off his marker on the right flank and plays a high ball across the Everton area. Adebayor rises to reach it, but it's much too high for the former Arsenal and City forward.

Vertonghen shows off his strength inside the Everton box, shrugging off a challenge and whipping in a neat cross to the back post. Baines anticipates the danger and gets in Dempsey's way, making the clearance.

Parker goes on a long run unchallenged, but eventually puts the ball behind for an Everton goalkick under pressure from Baines. Osman felt he was fouled during the build-up, but the referee disagreed, much to the midfielder's frustration.

Great work from Osman in the final third there. He plays a through pass to Anichebe, who is dispossessed inside the area, but the midfielder is quickest to the loose ball. The move breaks down as Barkley concedes a free kick.

Coleman gives away a corner at the other end, which Sigurdsson swings in from the left. Tim Howard leaps up and claims the ball without too much difficulty.

Spurs win another corner as Holtby's pass deflects behind off Jagielka. Sigurdsson's cross almost finds Dempsey, but Distin makes the interception and clears.

Nothing much in the way of clear-cut chances to report since Everton drew level. Spurs really lost momentum after conceding, but they have been back on the front foot for the last 10 minutes or so.

Jagielka plays a long ball towards Barkley, but Lloris gets to it first and drills the ball back into the Everton half.

A great challenge by Sigurdsson sees him gain possession from Coleman along the right flank. He surges forward towards the Everton goal, but his cross ends up in the middle of a sea of blue shirts. Anichebe is down injured and looks in some discomfort. It looks like he may have pulled something.

Anichebe, who is holding his left hip, is back on his feet and back on the pitch. He will soldier on for now, but I think Jelavic has been told that his services may be required soon.

Half-chance for Spurs as Sigurdsson snaps at the ball and hits it into the ground. It ends up in the hands of Howard with the bounce having taken most of the sting out of the strike.

It's been a cagey first half, which was to be expected considering what is at stake in this game. Tottenham have edged the first 45 minutes and look the more likely to land the next blow.

I think David Moyes will be please with his side's defensive display. Tottenham have dictated play, but the Toffees have allowed them very few clear-cut chances. None if you exclude their opening goal.

Two minutes stoppage time to be played. Spurs win a corner as Jagielka hits it behind. Sigurdsson plays in another cross that fails to trouble Howard between the Everton sticks.

We go into the break level pegging. It was a dramatic start to the afternoon as Emmanuel Adebayor netted one of the fastest goals you are likely to see this season, but Everton captain Phil Jagielka headed them level in the 15th minute.

You can read our half-time report here.

Elsewhere, Everton's Merseyside neightbours Liverpool are being held at home by West Ham. You can follow that one live here.

It's been a close contest here at White Hart Lane. Tottenham have edged possession and dictated the pace of the game, but Everton have defended well, and responded positively to falling behind.

Anichebe could potentially be an injury concern for Everton. He was holding his hip in pain towards the end of the first period, with Jelavic on standby. Moyes might make the switch at the break, rather than gamble on his fitness.

Everton need to venture forward more in the second period. Although they were tight at the back, Spurs always look the more likely to find a way through because they kept pushing their opponent's back line.

Both sets of players are heading back out onto the pitch now. No changes for either side, so Anichebe's injury does not appear to be significant.

The match is back under way now.

Coleman just manages to out-muscle Adebayor as the Togo international latches onto a free kick that was taken quickly, almost catching Everton out.

Adebayor knocks the ball down for Dempsey to hit one from 25 yards, but he skies his effort. Tottenham have been quickest off the starting blocks, but Everton have refused to give them an inch.

There's a fierce scrap going on between Vertonghen and Coleman during the game. The Irishman has just gone down under the Belgian's challenge, appealing for a free kick, but the ref isn't convinced.

More pressure from Spurs as Adebayor chases a long ball into the Everton box, but Jaglielka beats him to it and hits the ball out for a throw. Meanwhile, Jelavic looks like he might be about to come on.

EVERTON SUB: Barkley's first Everton start is cut short as Jelavic comes on to replace him. That should boost Everton attacking prospects...

Everton lead for the first time in the game through Kevin Mirallas. The Belgian international picks up Victor Anichebe's pass and shows off his skill and pace, dancing past three defenders and finding the bottom corner!

OFF THE BAR! Tottenham almost respond immediately as Dembele shapes to shoot from just inside the area. His effort takes a slight deflection, but Howard manages to get a hand to it and tip it onto the crossbar!

Adebayor and Parker exchange passes in the final third, but Coleman peddles back and intercepts. Good defending from the Ireland international.

Spurs, who have half an hour to claw their way back into this content, continue to press. Parker is the latest man in a white shirt to try his luck, firing a few inches wide of Howard's right post.

Osman floors Parker but the ref indicates that play should continue. The midfielder races forward and finds Jelavic, who is dispossessed for an Everton throw.

A Mirallas corner gifts a free header to Distin, but the Frenchman puts it wide. Walker has a shot beaten clear by Howard at the other end. It has been a more open game in this second half.

Everton lead 2-1, but David Moyes's side have dropped 19 points from winning positions this season. There is still plenty of football to be played here this afternoon.

Spurs have responded well to falling behind. A shooting opportunity has just fallen to Clint Dempsey, but the American's left-footed drive was wide of the mark, failing to trouble his compatriot Howard.

There's a half-chance for Everton at the other end as Victor Anichebe forces Hugo Lloris into a save with a tame effort on goal. Spurs prepare to make their first substitution, and it's Tom Huddlestone who will be coming on for Mousa Dembele.

Gibson has given away a free kick in a very dangerous position. It's right on the edge of the box, close to the byline. Sigurdsson crosses one in and Heitinga heads it behind. The danger is cleared as Everton win a throw after the resultant corner is dealt with.

Spurs are staring consecutive home defeats in the face at this vital time of the season. They have just over 10 minutes to turn this around. Villas-Boas looks anxious down there on the touchline.

BOOKING! Everton's second goalscorer Mirallas is booked for a late tackle on Parker. He was late there, but there was no malice in the challenge.

Wasteful play from Darron Gibson. Everton were attempting to break and had four players surging forward, but the Irishman gave the ball away when he had plenty of options to choose from. Dempsey has just been booked for alleged simulation. I think his only crime was losing his footing.

EVERTON SUBSTITUTION: Naismith replaces Mirallas. The Belgian was never likely to play the full 90 minutes with question marks over his fitness coupled with the fact he was carrying a booking.

The stage is set for a grandstand finish as Spurs grab a late equaliser. Walker got in ahead of Baines and squared the ball for Adebayor to strike. His effort came back off the post, and Sigurdsson tucked away the rebound from close range.

CHANCE! It's Everton who almost have the last say! Anichebe uses his strength to pull away from Dawson, setting up a one-on-one with Lloris, but the Spurs keeper saves with his legs!

Four minutes of stoppage time to play.

Great pressure from both sides in the dying stages. Heitinga does well to dispossess Adebayor in front of the Everton goal. The Toffees break and Jelavic hits one straight at Lloris at the other end.

It will be a nervy finish for Everton as Sigurdsson's last-gasp shot earns Spurs a corner...

Everton clear the danger and earn a free kick in a good position at the other end as Anichebe is fouled...

Baines delivers and Lloris jumps highest to claim it. That will be the last chance of the game for sure.

A great contest at White Hart Lane ends in a 2-2 draw. Spurs took the lead inside the first minute through Adebayor, but Everton captain Jagielka headed them level. The Toffees took the lead in the second period though Mirallas's second goal in two weeks, only for Sigurdsson to have the final say.

I think a share of the spoils was a fair result overall, with both sides impressing in different areas of the pitch. Tottenham looked determined going forward, but the Blues were solid at the back. You can read our match report here.

That's all from me here today, but stick around for match analysis and post-match reactions. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for today's Premier League clash.