Spurs put their managerial troubles behind them to lift the gloom surrounding White Hart Lane and cruise past a disappointing Everton.

Frederic Kanoute's brilliant long-range drive just before the interval set the platform for caretaker boss David Pleat's first league win since Glenn Hoddle's sacking.

And two strikes from Gus Poyet and Robbie Keane in the first three minutes of the second half made it a comfortable afternoon for Spurs.

Pleat stepped up his own claims to land the job on a permanent basis with the victory, but Everton counterpart David Moyes will have been dejected by his team's poor display.

Everton kept Wayne Rooney on the bench as Moyes kept faith with the team that beat Leeds United 4-0.

But there was to be no repeat performance as Everton never threatened to record their first away victory in the Premiership this season.

Spurs always had the upper hand - and Everton's problems increased when Alan Stubbs limped off after 33 minutes to be replaced by David Weir.

The Scot had a difficult introduction, with Keane forcing a fine diving save from Nigel Martyn, then wasting a chance from close range.

But the game exploded into life two minutes before the interval when Kanoute latched on to a clearance from Kasey Keller to send a spectacular swerving drive flying past Martyn from fully 30 yards.

And Spurs doubled their advantage 42 seconds after the break when Everton, showing a desperate lack of concentration, allowed Darren Anderton to cross for Poyet to score with a brilliant header.

The contest was over after 48 minutes, as Spurs put their troubles even further behind them by adding a third.

Everton's David Unsworth was the culprit, failing to control Anderton's ball to allow Keane to steal in and beat Martyn.

It was the signal for a double substitution from Everton, with Rooney and Kevin Kilbane replacing James McFadden and Tomasz Radzinski - but it was too late to make any impact.