IT WASN’T just Steven Pienaar suffering an identity crisis yesterday. At White Hart Lane, Everton gave another demonstration of the Jekyll and Hyde tendencies that have epitomised their season.

Just six days after their woeful performance at Wigan Athletic had caused genuine alarm among their fans, David Moyes’s side rediscovered the qualities that have given that same support reason for encouragement in recent times.

That dismal JJB Stadium surrender had prompted the Goodison manager to demand his players respond to the flak that was justifiably being aimed in their direction.

He was not disappointed. This was a consummate away performance from Moyes’s side, their fifth league triumph on their travels this season secured in a manner that has become a hallmark of his time at the club.

The visitors, solid in defence, robust in midfield and a potent threat on the counter-attack, wrested the initiative from Tottenham Hotspur and stoically refused to yield once Pienaar struck the game’s only goal shortly after half-time.

That it came via a fortuitous deflection off home full-back Vedran Corluka should not be allowed to detract from a deserved victory; the visitors had the better chances and were the better team.

All of which begs the question: will the real Everton please stand up?

Consistency has been a problem for Moyes.

The relatively small size of the squad and a glut of injuries have worked against the Goodison manager, and there was little relief from the latter yesterday.

Winning at White Hart Lane must seem like catching a bus for Everton supporters – after waiting for so long, three have come along in quick succession.

Unfortunately for Moyes, the same could be said about injuries to his strikers.

Yakubu lasted just 11 minutes before hobbling off with what transpired as a ruptured Achilles in his right leg, instantly ruling the Nigerian out for the rest of the campaign.

That was bad enough without substitute Louis Saha, who replaced Yakubu, later being carried from the field on a stretcher after his hamstrings failed for a second successive game.

With James Vaughan out until the New Year, Moyes is facing a striker crisis that it would seem only a dip into the January transfer window can solve.