TIM HOWARD really makes it hard for you to defend him sometimes.

He does so much right for so long and then, just when you are starting to trust him completely, he does something crazy, with Tottenham’s equaliser on Saturday the perfect illustration.

Leighton Baines’s sublime free-kick had given the Toffees a great lead to defend against a side coming off the back of a tough Champions League match in midweek, but Howard’s bizarre punch, which was more Glee than Golden Gloves, allowed Spurs to draw level.

In fairness to Harry Redknapp’s side, they showed more positivity throughout – even if it only manifested itself in long balls up to Peter Crouch – and we could hardly complain about a point from a ground where Everton only started winning in recent years.

The media have labelled White Hart Lane a bit of a happy hunting ground ever since the Blues’ ten men secured a memorable victory a few seasons back, but Evertonians still have painful memories of being put to the sword by the likes of Darren Caskey, so any points picked up in North London are still viewed as something of a plus.