Everton 0-0 Tottenham
Everton couldn't find a decisive goal despite dominating the majority of this eventual 0-0 draw with Tottenham.
Despite a sense of frustration at the stalemate, the result means Everton now cannot finish lower than sixth in the Premier League - and the Blues are still applying serious pressure to Aston Villa for fifth place.
The Toffees may not have been at their fluent best - although they did improve throughout the game, enjoying the better chances overall and striking the post in the second half through Dan Gosling.
Tottenham's expensively assembled strikeforce of Robbie Keane and Jermain Defoe were unable to better Everton's solid defence and, in the centre of the park, Jack Rodwell produced a mature performance against the likes of Tom Huddlestone and England's Jermaine Jenas.
And Tim Howard achieved a much deserved personal record as he broke Neville Southall's record of 15 Premier League clean-sheets with this shut-out.
Cahill rises to win the ball in the airCahill rises to win the ball in the air
Spurs boss Harry Redknapp began with a 5-3-2, wing backs formation, just as he had done when his Portsmouth side won 3-0 at Goodison back in August.
And the unfamiliar formation employed by Everton's opponents did reap some dividends early on.
In the eighth minute a good block by Joseph Yobo was required to deny Keane. The first cause for excitement at the other end came soon after when Heurelho Gomes flapped at a Pienaar cross but play soon returned to the other end.
On 17 minutes Joleon Lescott was cautioned for halting Alan Hutton in full flow and then Steven Pienaar was needlessly booked for encroachment.
Pienaar runs with the ballPienaar runs with the ball, chased by Jenas
Gareth Bale eventually curled the free kick just over but mid-way through the half Lescott had to block another Keane shot then Gomes had a hairy moment when he tried to sidestep Jo.
Having seemingly got to grips with Redknapp's tactics, Everton began to look more menacing. In the 41st minute a perfect Pienaar through-ball played in Jo but the Brazilian's shot was blocked by the recovering Ledley King.
And before the break Maroaune Fellaini fired wide of the post, with Rodwell also sending a rasped left-footer over.
An alteraction between Rodwell and Hutton was the main activity at the start of the second half, followed swiftly by a spectacular Tim Cahill volley that beat both Gomes and his left hand post in the 58th minute.
The visiting keeper dropped another cross then confusion with Jonathan Woodgate afforded Everton a corner which eventually resulted in Yobo - of all people - shooting wide from long range.
With a quarter of the game remaining Gosling's controlled volley hit the post after another indecisive Gomes clearance. David Moyes then made a double switch, withdrawing the ex-Plymouth youngster and Jo.
Louis Saha and Leon Osman entered the fray but it was Spurs who went close next as Defoe swivelled on the edge of the box and hammered a left-foot effort wide.
Despite this, Everton were now the dominant side; Pienaar volleyed over from 18 yards and Rodwell from further out with the Blues utterly dominant in the final stages.
But they couldn't find a goal and will have to take comfort from the securing of another top six finish.