HT Tottenham 1-0 Everton - Tom Huddlestone gives hosts lead at the break

Tottenham midfielder Tom Huddlestone gave his side an interval lead against Everton at White Hart Lane.

Huddlestone smashed a volley just past the half-hour mark after a flowing counter-attack that resulted in David Bentley crossing the ball from the right.

Robbie Keane struck the post for the hosts just before the opener, while Heurelho Gomes was needed to save from Louis Saha in the early exchanges.

Tottenham striker Roman Pavlyuchenko was handed his second start of the season for the Carling Cup fourth-round clash against Everton at White Hart Lane.

Pavlyuchenko, who is no longer an automatic first choice for Spurs and Russia, was given his chance following Jermain Defoe's suspension and a groin problem for Peter Crouch.

Niko Kranjcar was cup-tied and replaced by Gareth Bale, Michael Dawson and David Bentley came in after injuries to Jonathan Woodgate and Aaron Lennon at the weekend, while Alan Hutton came in for Vedran Corluka.

Everton have been hit by injuries and could not make big changes, with David Moyes bringing in Ayegbeni Yakubu for Jo in attack.

The visitors, wearing a purple strip for the Liverpool Unites charity, created the first chance after four minutes.

Lucas Neill's throw was back-heeled on by Marouane Fellaini and Louis Saha hooked the ball on target, only for Heurelho Gomes to stretch backwards and tip over.

It was no surprise that Everton started well as their last three trips to Spurs had resulted in victories.

Bentley had Spurs' first effort when he cut inside Tony Hibbert on the right flank but dragged his left-footed shot well wide of Tim Howard's goal.

Pavlyuchenko had their first clear-cut chance when Robbie Keane charged down Neill's clearance - but the Russian blasted wide after racing through.

Pavlyuchenko went wide again shortly after when he got on the end of Hutton's low cross, with the full-back taking advantage of Bentley's dummy after Wilson Palacios had spread the ball wide.

Keane got closer on the half-hour mark. Sylvain Distin twice made a total mess of clearing Benoit Assou-Ekotto's ball over the top and Keane poked the ball onto the post.

But Spurs were ahead in the 31st minute, seconds after they were defending a corner. Keane shifted the ball to Bentley on the right, his cross was missed by Pavlyuchenko but Huddlestone thumped the ball home with a left-footed volley.

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