Spurs managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory and a place in the semi-finals of the Carling Cup thanks to a needless Fredi Kanoute handball gifting the Reds an equaliser from the spot 5 minutes from the end of extra time. Sinama-Pongolle netted the spotkick to make it 1-1.

Jermain Defoe had given Spurs the lead 10 minutes earlier, having been introduced as a sub halfway through the second half of normal time. Prior to his arrival neither side had really looked like scoring, although Kanoute hit the bar early on and Keane wasted a couple of good chances.

In the shootout, Kanoute compounded his error by having his penalty saved. Robbo pulled off a fine save to keep Spurs in it but Brown's miss was the deciding factor.

Liverpool's kids didn't appear to be of the same calibre as the young sides fielded by Arsenal and Man United in this competition with no one really standing out for them. Spurs had started brightly but were made to pay for not scoring in the period they dominated and Liverpool improved after they settled.

Kanoute received much criticism for his handball, which was inexplicable, but prior to that he'd turned in a man of the match performance with his workrate and holding the ball up and looked like he was getting back to the all-round form he showed prior to the African Nations Cup last season.

MOTM: Robinson. A couple of vital saves during the match and another in the shootout but to no avail.

A lethal display of finishing from Jermain Defoe ripped a woeful Saints side to shreds and extended our winning run to 4 games.

He opened his account in under 10 minutes as a ball from Carrick allowed Kanoute to break down the right. For a moment it looked as if Kanoute had waited too long to get his cross in and the chance had gone, but Defoe had cleverly found space in the box and slotted the ball home when Kanoute did eventually cross it.

Southampton had a couple of chances to get back on level terms through Phillips and Crouch but Spurs went 2 goals to the good before the half hour mark - having not previously scored in the opening 30 mins of any game all season.

Telfer tried to tackle Kanoute but succeeded only in laying the ball through for Defoe to run onto and he made no mistake with the finish.

Kanoute, Telfer and Defoe all tried their luck from distance and Pamarot had headed wide from close range before Spurs got their third of the afternoon. Carrick sprung the Saints offside trap with a lovely ball over the top to Kanoute and he slotted home.

A miskick from King and hesitation from Robinson right at the start of the second half saw Crouch pull one back. Suddenly the Saints started to play a bit and there were a few worried faces, thinking back the defeat by Man City where we lost 4-3 having led 3-0 at the break.

Spurs don't crumble under Martin Jol however, and having weathered the storm they made the game safe when Defoe followed up after Niemi saved from Brown.

Defoe could have had another before he turned provider, dinking the ball over the defence for Keane to control and poke home, although Niemi would no doubt have felt he should he done better, allowing the ball to squirm under him.

MOTM: Defoe. Only one candidate. Superb performance showing his instinctive finishing ability at its best.

Spurs winning run came to an end against an organised Palace outfit.

Andy Johnson's late goal was frustrating but probably no more than Palace deserved on reflection.

Early on Spurs seemed willing to let Palace come at them, like Muhammed Ali absorbing punches and biding his time before delivering a potential knockout punch. That blow came from the usual source, Jermain Defoe. Just seconds after breaking away from 2 defenders and cracking a shot which came back off the post he went for the same move again. Different post, different outcome as this time it nestled in the back of Kiraly's net.

Johnson and Kanoute both had goals disallowed for offside and Robinson came under a barrage of shots in the first half, miraculously keeping them all out. The balance of power swung at half time and Kiraly was much the busier keeper, in his trademark tracksuit bottoms, which prompted plenty of chants about pyjamas, dressing gowns and teddy bears during duller passages of play.

10 minutes from time with Palace looking to have run out of ideas, Johnson turned and shot from 25 yards. Robinson saw it late and was unable to get across to stop it going into the bottom corner.

MOTM: Robinson. Stopped virtually everything that was thrown at him all afternoon and a key part of the more defensive tactics Jol seems to adopt in the 1st half of matches these days.

2 goals and an assist from Dean Marney on his full home debut helped Spurs to a convincing win following the disappointment of the draw against Crystal Palace.

When Marney's name was announced in the starting XI, many people - including myself - were surprised as he'd not featured previously this season under Santini or Martin Jol. Another concern was the absence of Defoe but it later turned out he was injured rather than popping off to talk to Roman and co.

Jol's decision in selecting Marney was soon validated as Keane flicked on a ball from Pedro Mendes. Marney lofted the ball over the onrushing Richard Wright, who was reminded of his Arsenal connections now and again on an afternoon he'll probably want to forget in a hurry. Marney rushed to the fans to celebrate his first goal for the club

10 minutes later Kanoute's flick header was controlled on his chest and volleyed home by Ziegler - another maiden goal. Things could have been worse for Everton as Keane lobbed Wright but the ball came back off the bar and was cleared to safety.

Everton pulled on back 5 minutes before the break as the Spurs defence hesitated and allowed Bent to get the ball through to Cahill, who smashed in a volley from the edge of the box.

Keane felt he should he have had a penalty early in the 2nd half but referee Dunn, whose performane was poor and inconsistent to say the least, waved away the appeals.

Just before the hour mark, Kanoute laid off Marney's cross to Pedro Mendes, whot took a touch with sent 3 defenders the wrong way and drove home his first goal in a Spurs shirt.

By now Spurs were rampant. Halfway through the 2nd half Marney made a run down the right. He did a bit of trickery, nutmegged Pistone and burst past him to slide the ball across, giving Keane the easiset of tap-ins. 10 minutes from time Marney received a short pass from Carrick on the halfway line. He turned and as he ran the space opened up in front of him. 30 yards out he picked his spot and arced a beautiful shot past the despairing Wright to complete a very satisfying afternoon's work.

McFadden pulled once back but it was too little, too late for an Everton side who have been punching above their weight so far this season. Injuries and suspensions will start to tell on their small squad as David Moyes has relied on a core of 1st team players to get them where they are in the League.

Spurs again looked solid enough at the back despite conceding twice. The pleasing thing defensively now is that when they concede it doesn't seem to affect them as much as it has done in previous seasons. The commanding form of King and Robinson alongside the experienced Naybet or talented but yet to fulfil his true potential Gardner, and the solid fullbacks, Edman and Pamarot, have given Spurs a great defensive base to their game. The goals are starting to flow from midfield and the number of chances, both created and converted is on the up.

MOTM: Marney. A good performance at right back against DC United in a tribute match and a couple of solid but unspectacular appearances under Hoddle had not led many people to suspect the 20 year old was capable of a match winning display like this. He proved Jol's selection right and if he can put in a few more showings like this, he could have a very bright future at the club.