FA CUP finalists Evertonproduced a disappointing display against Tottenham and missed the chance to leapfrog Aston Villa back into fifth place in the Barclays Premier League.

The only consolation was their Wembley-bound side avoided any more of the damaging injuries that have dogged their season and - in the case of Phil Jagielka - robbed a star man of a cup final date.

Spurs needed the win to keep themselves in the hunt for seventh spot and European qualification, and will reflect on their first-half domination and know they too wasted a golden opportunity.

The Blues brought teenager Jack Rodwell into midfield for only his eighth start of the season, their only change from the side that won so convincingly at Sunderland last time out.

Lars Jacobsen dropped to the bench and Leon Osman, recovering from an ankle injury, was only risked on the bench.

Spurs made four changes from the side that beat West Brom last weekend, with Alan Hutton, Gareth Bale and Tom Huddlestone returning. Jermain Defoe was back in the starting line-up.

Everton, with European qualification already certain, have little more than pride to play for at this stage. For Spurs, it is altogether more important.

Seventh place will get them into Europe as well, and their desire was evident from the start.

Luka Modric showed pace and invention, and dominated midfield. He was almost put clear early on from a Jermaine Jenas pass, Joleon Lescott snuffing that one out, before Modric’s pass sent Defoe scampering away only to be halted by Joseph Yobo.

The home team struggled to get their game going. But, with the rain lashing down, they were encouraged by goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes’ poor handling.

Lescott was booked for bringing down Hutton and Steven Pienaar was cautioned for encroaching at the twice-taken free-kick. Bale put both efforts over the bar.

Spurs continued to probe for the breakthrough and only a timely tackle from Lescott took the pace out of a Robbie Keane drive.