With six players either injured, suspended or away on international duty, Everton manager, David Moyes, had a selection nightmare ahead of this crunch match against the Spurs.

This was reflected not only in the players he chose to start, but also in the formation they would have to play.

Gone was the 4-5-1 to be replaced by a more attacking, yet less secure 4-4-2.

Young Victor Anichebe got the chance to play as the second striker alongside Andrew Johnson, with the back four remaining the same. But it was the midfield that had a make shift look about it. Both Tim Cahill and Leon Osman were unavailable, so it was left to full back Leighton Baines to fill in on the left wing.

Although the starting lineup may have been a little unfamiliar, it was on the substitutes bench were the weakness of the Everton squad was highlighted. Named among the subs were Anderson Silva de France and Andy Van der Meyde.

Silva de France has spent most of his career at Everton on loan. He was brought to the club when the team was really desperate for players, but the Brazilian has never looked like a Premiership player.

Van der Meyde was going to be the answer to all Everton’s problems on the left of midfield when he joined from Italian giants Inter Milan. But he has been beset by injury and off the field problems.

Stories of his life away from football go from the heart rendering to the ridicules, and it speaks volumes that a player with an injury, and playing out of position, is preferred to Van der Meyde. It seems only a matter of time until Everton and the Dutch winger go their separate ways.

Spurs manager Juande Ramos had his own selection problems. With Ledley King a long term injury and Michael Dawson suspended, it was left to new signee Jonathan Woodgate to partner young midfielder Tom Huddlestone in the center of defence.

But what the Spurs lack at the back they more than make up for when they go forward.

Dimitar Berbatov, Robbie Keane, Aaron Lennon, Steed Malbranque, Jermaine Jenas and the promising Jamie O’Hara were all named to start in an attacking line up.

As the game got under way, on a cold winter's evening, there was a concern that Everton could find it hard going against a Spurs team that Ramos had got playing well.

With all the attacking players on the pitch for the Spurs, it was surprising that they showed so little imagination going forward. Everton wasn’t much better, but at least they could use the excuse of fielding an under strength team.

It took 20 minutes for Baines to drag a shot wide of the Spurs goal, the first real attempt of the match. This was followed by a nice bit of foot work that allowed Malbranque to try a spectacular over head kick that never troubled Howard in the Everton goal.

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