The penalty had been awarded after referee Andre Marriner adjudged Tony Hibbert to have impeded Wilson Palacios as the Tottenham raced into the area to reach Peter Crouch’s header.

The game was held up for a period while Palacios received medical attention, the midfielder eventually leaving the field on a stretcher and taken to hospital.

But Moyes said: "I’m not convinced it’s a penalty kick. When two people go for the ball, undoubtedly one gets there before the other. That’s all that happened. I think it’s a harsh penalty kick."

Defoe had given the visitors the lead on 47 minutes with Michael Dawson doubling the advantage with a header shortly before the hour.

But after substitute Saha pulled a goal back with his 11th of the season on 78 minutes, Tim Cahill marked his 30th birthday by equalising three minutes from time.

With both Sylvain Distin and Dan Gosling joining Everton’s injury list, Joseph Yobo limped out after only 15 minutes to be replaced by Seamus Coleman, who responded with a man-of- the-match performance.

And Moyes said: "Joseph looks like he has done a hamstring injury. He declared himself fit and trained Friday and Saturday, so it wasn’t a risk. We needed him to start anyway as we didn’t really have anybody else in that position."

Cahill also picked up his fifth domestic booking of the season and is now suspended for Saturday’s visit to leaders Chelsea.