Everton 0-0 Tottenham

FA Cup finalists Everton missed the chance to leapfrog Aston Villa back into fifth place in the Barclays Premier League.

The only consolation was their Wembley-bound side avoided any more of the damaging injuries that have dogged their season and - in the case of Phil Jagielka - robbed a star man of a cup final date.

Spurs needed the win to keep themselves in the hunt for seventh spot and European qualification, and will reflect on their first-half domination and know they too wasted a golden opportunity.

Everton brought teenager Jack Rodwell into midfield for only his eighth start of the season, their only change from the side that won so convincingly at Sunderland last time out.

Lars Jacobsen dropped to the bench and Leon Osman, recovering from an ankle injury, was only risked on the bench.

Spurs made four changes from the side that beat West Brom last weekend, with Alan Hutton, Gareth Bale and Tom Huddlestone returning. Jermain Defoe was back in the starting line-up.

Everton, with European qualification already certain, have little more than pride to play for at this stage. For Spurs, it is altogether more important.

Seventh place will get them into Europe as well, and their desire was evident from the start.

Luka Modric showed pace and invention, and dominated midfield. He was almost put clear early on from a Jermaine Jenas pass, Joleon Lescott snuffing that one out, before Modric's pass sent Defoe scampering away only to be halted by Joseph Yobo.

Everton struggled to get their game going. But, with the rain lashing down, they were encouraged by goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes' poor handling.

Lescott was booked for bringing down Hutton and Steven Pienaar was cautioned for encroaching at the twice-taken free-kick. Bale put both efforts over the bar.

Spurs continued to probe for the breakthrough and only a timely tackle from Lescott took the pace out of a Robbie Keane drive.

But youngsters Dan Gosling and Rodwell in midfield were struggling to pick up the runs and position of Modric, with Spurs continuing to look the more likely to create decent chances.

However, Modric's involvement was slowed considerably by two fierce challenges in as many minutes, one in particular from Tim Cahill left the Croatian limping for some time.

Everton eventually made some inroads. Jonathan Woodgate did well to block a Jo effort after the Brazilian had gone round Gomes, and then Marouane Fellaini dragged an effort wide from Leighton Baines' pass before Rodwell curled a fine effort over the angle from 20 yards.

Hutton was booked for his reaction to a Rodwell tackle, kicking out at the 18-year-old.

Everton were at last showing more urgency and Cahill saw a 25-yarder flash inches wide. Then Gomes dropped a Baines cross and Jo almost made him pay.

Yobo had a couple of efforts blocked, Cahill's header troubled Gomes and then Gosling hit a post after 67 minutes with a bouncing effort from the edge of the box.

That was Gosling's last involvement as he was replaced a minute later by Osman, with Louis Saha coming on for Jo.

Defoe then went close with a shot on the turn that flashed inches wide, Spurs increasingly threatening on the break.

Everton kept coming forward but Woodgate and Ledley King were in outstanding form at the back.

Spurs sent on Roman Pavlyuchenko for Modric with 10 minutes left, their eyes also on a late breakthrough.

The Russian had enough time to be booked, referee Lee Mason pointing out three offences by the striker in quick succession, but not to change the outcome.