Goals in either half by Aaron Lennon and Benoît Assou-Ekotto earned Tottenham Hotspur FC a 2-0 success at White Hart Lane that moved them level on points with second-placed Manchester United FC and three adrift of leaders Manchester City FC, who suffered a 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Liverpool FC in the League Cup semi-final first leg.

Despite Tottenham's excellent run of form, the visitors started brightly and fashioned the first meaningful chance of the game, which Louis Saha dragged wide. Tottenham grew into the match, however, and began to show why they are considered title contenders with Emmanuel Adebayor spurning a wonderful opportunity before Lennon opened the scoring. The 24-year-old latched on to Assou-Ekotto's cross-field pass and wrong-footed Tim Howard in the Everton goal to give Spurs the lead ten minutes before half-time.

The hosts came out flying after the break and doubled their advantage just past the hour courtesy of Assou-Ekotto's second goal for the club, a rasping 30-metre drive into the top right-hand corner. Saha could have given David Moyes's side a route back into the game two minutes from time but he fired over from close range and Harry Redknapp's charges held on to claim their eighth home win of the season.

In the League Cup semi-final first leg, Steven Gerrard scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot on 13 minutes as Liverpool claimed the advantage against City. In Tuesday night's other semi-final first leg, Crystal Palace FC edged a 1-0 victory against fellow Championship side Cardiff City FC.