Everton were looking to finish the season with a flourish after two disappointing draws had kept their UEFA Cup qualification dream just that.
Tottenham however had it all to play for as they looked to emulate Everton's last season's place in the Champions League. With Tony Hibbert and Mikel Arteta out, Gary Naysmith and Simon Davies deputised as the Toffees looked to avenge last October's 2-0 defeat.
Spurs were without the services of Mido with Jermaine Jenas coming in on the back of the 2-1 win over Manchester City.
Both Sven Goran-Eriksson and Sir Alex Ferguson were in the crowd to watch a bright but uneventful opening.
Both James Beattie and Jenas were both eager to impress the England boss.
Lee Carsley was booked on ten minutes for a lunge on Anthony Gardner which wasn't in keeping with their timid play.
Leon Osman put the first chance of the game over Paul Robinson's bar after good work by Naysmith.
Everton nearly became masters of the own misfortune after failing to push out after a cleared corner. Richard Wright just about got his hands to an aerial ball after Aaron Lennon had lofted it into the danger area.
A minute later Robbie Keane had a tame shot which Wright collected easily.
Gardner almost put it into his own net as he attempted to clear a James McFadden cross as the game warmed up.
Spurs began turning the screw as Everton's defence began look increasingly nervy.
Three chances in 30 seconds went begging as Spurs failed to capitalise. Jenas netted on 33 minutes, but ref Howard Webb disallowed it and instead gave a penalty to Spurs, which Keane promptly dispatched.
Osman wasted a glorious chance to level for Everton just seconds later but was muscled off the ball by Lee Young-Pyo and Gardner.
Phil Neville was booked on 38 minutes for a bad challenge on Gardner, who was also booked for his reaction.
After the break Everton made a hash of a 46th minute chance as first Beattie and then Tim ahill completely missed their shots.
Wright made a great stop from Jenas at the other end and Jermian Defoe missed an open goal when the ball fell to him after striking Naysmith in the face.
Cahill screwed a shot well wide on 53 minutes after nice play by Osman, Neville and Carsley.
Everton were applying a huge amount of pressure but had no-one to get hold of the ball, while Defoe missed a good chance on the counter.
Alan Stubbs limped off on 58 minutes after bravely thwarting Lennon in the Everton box.
Beattie did put the ball in the net seconds later but was flagged offside.
Wright saved Everton from going two down with a smart stop from Keane after Lee had nutmegged Carsley.
Talisman Duncan Ferguson replaced Davies on 65 minutes as Moyes went for a direct approach.
Gardner blocked McFadden on 69 minutes as Spurs attempted to slow the tempo right down and Everton seemed incapable of raising their game.
In fact, Defoe hit the woodwork on 71 minutes as he was allowed to go through unchallenged.
Referee Webb dismissed appeals for handball when Beattie's shot struck Gardner's arm.
Everton were becoming increasingly shambolic as they struggled to string two passes together.
Kevin Kilbane replaced Naysmith late on, but Spurs were happy to keep the ball and let the clock tick away.
Michael Carrick and Jenas fouled Cahill in the final minute and a resulting corner was well cleared.
Four minutes of stoppage time produced nothing of note as Spurs happily marched on towards Europe.