10-man Everton strike late to hold Tottenham

Everton’s French midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure (C) reacts as he receives a red card during the English Premier League football match between Everton and Tottenham Hotspur at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west England on April 3, 2023. (Photo by PETER POWELL / AFP)

Michael Keane’s stunning 90th minute equaliser struck another blow to Tottenham’s challenge for a top-four finish in the Premier League as Cristian Stellini’s caretaker spell in charge of Spurs started with a 1-1 draw at Everton.

Harry Kane’s penalty looked set to take Tottenham third in the table after Abdoulaye Doucoure had been sent off for striking the Spurs striker in the face.

But the numbers were levelled up when Lucas Moura also saw red two minutes from time before Keane’s thunderbolt salvaged a vital point in Everton’s bid to beat the drop.

A draw is enough to take Sean Dyche’s men out of the relegation zone.

Tottenham move level on points with Newcastle and Manchester United in fourth, but have played two games more than their rivals for a place in next season’s Champions League.

Stellini was taking charge for the first time since the sacking of his former boss Antonio Conte.

Conte’s fate was sealed by a tirade towards the Tottenham squad after conceding twice late on to draw 3-3 at bottom-of-the-table Southampton.

But there was little sign of a fresh start as the visitors again threw away a promising position against a side fighting relegation.

Everton’s chances of survival had been boosted by three 1-0 wins in Dyche’s first four home games in charge.

But the Toffees’ defence was lucky to escape two huge missed chances from Kane inside the first 15 minutes.

The England captain should have been full of confidence after becoming his country’s all-time top