Everton wrapped up a spot in next season’s Europa League after securing a point in a disappointing goalless draw with Tottenham.
It was a hurly-burly encounter filled with passion and endeavour but distinctly lacking in quality or entertainment from the first whistle to the last.
Chances were few and far between as both team’s defences established a firm grip in what could be described as a typical game of two halves.
Tottenham dominated the first as Everton began the game in somnolent fashion, but the second saw a role reversal as the hosts got on top without being able to convert possession into chances.
The draw represents a minor setback for Spurs, whose excellent end-of-season form had brought them into contention for seventh spot and a place in Europe.
But a point suffices to keep them in the hunt, even if they are certainly not in pole position with two games remaining.
Football is full of amazing statistics and none more so than the fact Gareth Bale has yet to finish on winning side for Tottenham in 23 attempts.
On the evidence of this encounter the full back oozes class, has a Rolls-Royce engine and does the job of two men on the left flank.
This was his first start since January - a statistic that in itself beggars belief given his showing at Goodison Park - but Spurs fans will be hoping this is a sign of performances to come.
Despite being an international of some repute, his defending has been called into question. But with Everton struggling to put together an attack of note in the first half, any vulnerability or frailty at the back was concealed by a rampaging display of forward running.
He was, quite simply, Spurs’ best player as the visitors tore into their opponents with a confidence that was lacking in abundance in the early stages of the season.
On seven minutes, the Wales international burst down the left before driving a dangerous cross into the Everton area that found Robbie Keane in space ten yards from goal.
The Republic of Ireland striker took a touch and an age before firing in a shot that was well blocked by Everton defender Joseph Yobo.
While ten minutes later, Bale almost opened the scoring with a curling free kick from wide on the right-hand edge of the area that whistled a foot over the bar after Alan Hutton had been crudely brought down by Joleon Lescott.
Everton were out of sorts and seemingly incapable of stringing two passes together without the move breaking down.
But David Moyes’ side are nothing if not resilient, and for all their possession, Tottenham were struggling to create the clear-cut opening that their performance deserved.
Everton’s defence has undoubtedly been weakened by the season-ending injury to Phil Jagielka, but in Lescott they still possess a fearsome obstacle at the back.
The defender is enjoying a super season at Goodison Park and justified his recent inclusions in Fabio Capello’s England squad with a goal saving tackle on Keane on 23 minutes.
The Spurs striker was fed through the middle and was set to pull the trigger before the Everton defender launched himself into the challenge and deflected the striker’s shot behind for a corner.
The act of defiance seemed to spark a glimmer of response from Lescott’s team-mates who slowly began to awake from their slumber.
But it wasn’t until the 40th minute that they created a clear-cut chance of note. Steven Pienaar fed a delightful ball through to Jo who bore down on goal before Ledley King got back to make another super last-ditch challenge.
Everton certainly seemed to benefit from the half-time interval more than Spurs and came out after the break showing far more intent and hunger than they displayed during a dismal first 45.
But scoring chances were still few and far between as Moyes’ men toiled to create an opening.
The nearest they came to breaking the deadlock was a vicious half-volley from Tim Cahill that whistled inches wide of Heurelho Gomes’ left-hand upright while the Tottenham keeper almost gifted them a goal a minute later when he dropped a cross in amongst a throng of Everton bodies before pouncing on the loose ball.
Both sides then took it in turns to come within inches of taking the lead. Dan Gosling latched on to a loose ball on the edge of the Tottenham box on 67 minutes, but his shot bounced up off the ground and against the Everton post and wide, before Defoe turned sharply at the other end before shooting a fraction wide two minutes later.
And that was as close as either side could come to stealing an elusive winning goal as the chances dried up and the game drifted towards a sleepy conclusion.
Everton fans can now start packing their suitcases and preparing for a European adventure, while a point just about keeps Spurs’ hopes of joining them alive.
STAR MAN: Gareth Bale (8*). The left back was superb in the first half, bombing forward at every opportunity and putting dangerous crosses into the box. He faded with the rest of his team-mates in the second. Click here for full stats and ratings.