Everton's run of misery stretched to seven matches without a Premiership win as Spurs managed only their third away point of the season.

That for the Londoners was a minor triumph, but Everton's future looks increasingly like another relegation battle as they slipped closer to the dogfight at the bottom.

It was a shocking match, void of flair and imagination, one which the journeymen toiled and sweated through, but were incapable of producing a glint of true quality.

A TV talking head earlier in the day described the Premiership as the best league in the world - he clearly did not have to sit through this grim affair.

For Spurs, Neil Sullivan's string of saves gave them the platform for a solid defensive display, in which Chris Perry and Tim Sherwood earned their corn.

For Everton it was the battling Thomas Gravesen who took the eye, but even the enthusiastic Dane could not inspire his team to a victory they desperately needed.

Any hint of glamour was ripped out of this game before the start. No Sol Campbell, Les Ferdinand for Spurs, and Duncan Ferguson and Paul Gascoigne not making it for Everton. That should have been warning enough for what was to follow.

The standard was awful. Poor passing, seemingly little ambition from Spurs, and a drab day was had by all.

And for Everton their injury woes continued after just seven minute when skipper David Weir limped off with an injury to his right leg, Alex Cleland coming on as substitute and Steve Watson taking over the armband.

As for Spurs, they played five at the back, with Tim Sherwood in a deep holding role. The intent clearly to frustrate and stifle at every opportunity.

Only a long-range early effort from Sergei Rebrov troubled Thomas Myhre in the early stages, while at least Everton tried to be constructive.

Sullivan saved well from Joe-Max Moore, and twice had to be alert to hang onto long-range efforts from Gravesen.

Myhre had to pull down a Sherwood free-kick, but Spurs' attacking ideas were few and far between.

But Everton were at least trying. Kevin Campbell spun away from Chris Perry to send Niclas Alexandersson away on the right. The Swede out-paced Stephen Clemence, cut across the box but fired his shot straight at Sullivan on 34 minutes.

Hughes was booked a minute later for clipping the heals of Oyvind Leonhardsen as the Norwegian raced through the middle.

A minute from the break, Sullivan produced another splendid save when he dived to palm away a close-range Campbell header from Gravesen's cross.

Six minutes into the second period the ball dropped invitingly for Campbell after some penalty box pinball. The big striker turned to hit a left-footer that clipped the far post and was hacked clear by Clemence.

Campbell's lack of match action showed when twice Campbell was presented with headers, but both were planted wide.

The pressure mounted on Spurs, even Unsworth got into the box for a hooked effort from 10 yards that Sullivan saved.

Spurs were increasingly happy to defend their box in numbers, with Rebrov isolated up front on his own.

On 64 minutes Spurs took off Leonhardsen and Korsten and put on youngsters Simon Davies and Dave McEwan, while Everton soon put on Danny Cadamarteri and Idan Tal for Alexandersson and Moore.

But it would have taken a footballing genius to create anything to live long in the memory from this shambles.

Teams:

Everton: Myhre, Steve Watson, Weir (Cleland 9), Ball, Unsworth, Alexandersson (Tal 78), Gravesen, Pembridge, Hughes, Campbell, Moore (Cadamarteri 78).

Subs Not Used: Simonsen, Gemmill.

Booked: Hughes.

Tottenham: Sullivan, Perry, Young, King, Clemence, Doherty, Sherwood, Anderton, Leonhardsen (Davies 64), Rebrov, Korsten (McEwen 63).

Subs Not Used: Walker, Gardner, Thelwell.

Att: 32,290

Ref: A D'Urso (Billericay).