Tottenham 4 Everton 3

Last updated : 12 January 2003 By Footymad Previewer

A Robbie Keane hat-trick secured all three points for Spurs in a pulsating match at White Hart Lane.

The Republic of Ireland international was the star of a roller-coaster ride of a game made even more exciting by terrible defending from both sides.

Everton took the lead in the first half through Brian McBride only for Gus Poyet to equalise and then Keane gave Spurs the lead twice in the second half only for Steve Watson and then Tomasz Radzinski to peg the home side back.

However, the former Leeds striker was not to be denied and wrapped up victory with a cool finish with only seven minutes to go to send battling Everton back to Merseyside empty-handed.

Both sides were looking to bounce back from defeats in the FA Cup last weekend and it was Everton who started the brighter.

They were rewarded in the tenth minute when Scot Gemmill put the ball through the heart of the Spurs defence to give McBride an easy chance to score.

The lead lasted just three minutes though and came as a result of sloppy defending by Alan Stubbs.

The Everton skipper's attempt to head the ball back to Espen Baardsen resulted in a corner and although Darren Anderton's cross was initially cleared, Simon Davies headed the ball back into the area where Poyet nodded it home.

The rest of the first half was a scrappy affair with few chances on goal for either side.

McBride's header brought a good save out of Kasey Keller and Radzinski's 20-yard shot flew just over while the home side's best chances came when Steffen Iversen just failed to get a touch to Anderton's cross at the far post and Stephen Carr's low shot was turned away by Baardsen.

The second half was breathtaking and it took just five minutes for Keane to round Baardsen and score Spurs' second goal.

However, eight minutes later Everton were level as Watson pounced on a loose ball in the area.

Keane restored the lead again only for Radzinski to hit back with a thumping finish.

Just when the visiting fans thought they had done enough for a point, Keane rounded off a superb performance with his third and Spurs' fourth goal.