England midfielder Dele Alli started the New Year in the same rich vein of form in which he ended 2015 as his expert finish earned Tottenham a share of the points against Everton.
The 19-year-old, who was named man of the match at Goodison Park, controlled a 60-yard diagonal pass from Toby Alderweireld on his chest before volleying home low to draw the visitors level on the stroke of half-time.
That cancelled out Everton’s opening goal which came through former Spurs winger Aaron Lennon.
The breakthrough was somewhat against the run of play with Tottenham, who also had England trio Kyle Walker, Eric Dier and Harry Kane in their starting XI, having dominated the opening proceedings including Kane seeing his effort come back off the post after nine minutes.
Ben Davies was the next to strike the woodwork for Spurs after Lennon’s goal, while former England Under-21s international Tom Carroll, given a starting role after his goal off the bench against Norwich on Boxing Day, tested Everton keeper Tim Howard from distance.
Alli then headed over on 40 minutes but five minutes later he found his range to equalise and take his tally of goals and assists combined in the last seven Premier League appearances to six.
Ross Barkley drove wide after the break before his Everton and England team-mate John Stones slid in to dispossess Kane as he was lining up to shoot.
Leighton Baines was another England player in action for Everton as the two defences eventually came out on top with a point shared.
Sunday’s other game saw Chelsea travel to face Crystal Palace with the visitors eventually emerging 3-0 winners.
England defender Gary Cahill missed out with an ankle injury but a 29th-minute strike from Oscar and second-half goals for Willian and Diego Costa handed the Blues all three points.
