Everton manages to contain Tottenham's efforts in goalless draw

A goalless stalemate marked by two noteworthy performances and two players stretchered off ended in an impasse at White Hart Lane on Saturday, as Tottenham failed to capitalize on any chances and Everton did just enough for a share of the spoils.

Were it not for Tim Howard's efforts, Everton would have surely surrendered a goal, if not more - and were it not for Harry Kane's ineptitude in front of goal, Tottenham would have had the result sorted with half an hour to go.

Goalless through his first four matches, Kane seems burdened by the expectations placed on him by supporters and pundits alike following a season that saw the young English international pocket 21 Premier League goals.

Kane wasn't the only Hotspur who underwhelmed. Ryan Mason appeared uncertain of his place on the pitch and Nacer Chadli's final ball lacked in quality.

As brilliant a goal-scorer as Kane may be, he's only as outstanding as the service he receives, and Saturday at White Hart Lane was not one for the end-of-season DVD.

The second half was Howard's, as the U.S. shot-stopper prevented any number of Tottenham shots that littered his area from hitting the back of the net.

Spurs fired 20 shots, six of which Howard stopped.

He was Everton's standout player, as attacks by the likes of Romelu Lukaku and Ross Barkley were few and far between.

The match was marred by two seemingly painful moments, as both Tom Cleverley and Moussa Dembele were stretchered off on either side of the halftime interval.

Cleverley collapsed in the 41st minute on a tackle from Eric Dier. The two became entangled, with the ex-Aston Villa player getting the worst of it as his right leg buckled under the lumbering Spurs midfielder's weight.

Cleverley immediately signalled to the bench while writhing in pain as an apologetic Dier stared on.

A similar fate befell Tottenham midfielder Dembele, who in the 51st minute crumpled from a non-contact injury in Everton's box on the cusp of the touchline attempting to cross the ball.

The Belgian international toppled over in pain before being stretchered off and was subsequently replaced by youngster Dele Alli.

Both sides will head into the international break nursing knocks, wondering where all the goals have gone.