Tottenham failed to beat battling Everton despite producing some vibrant attacking football at White Hart Lane.

The visitors took a 17th-minute lead against the run of play thanks to Leighton Baines's brilliant free-kick.

But Spurs levelled three minutes later as Everton keeper Tim Howard flapped at a cross which Peter Crouch bundled back for Rafael Van der Vaart to crash home.

The hosts went for a winner but were unable to break Everton down in a second half which ended in frustration.

Ultimately, Spurs continued to enhance the reputation they are fast building as one of the most entertaining teams in the Premier League as their posse of creative midfielders lit up a riveting first half.

But manager Harry Redknapp may feel that his side still need to adjust to the extra demands of Champions League football, while counterpart David Moyes will be pleased that his team moved into the top half of the Premier League table for the first time this season.

Spurs managed to score three goals at the home of European champions Inter Milan on Wednesday - and still lose - but with fans favourite Van der Vaart recalled to the side after missing the match in the San Siro through suspension, they mostly had the upper hand.

Everton struggled to get on the ball without Mikel Arteta, who had failed to shake off a groin strain aggravated in the derby win over Liverpool last weekend which finally ignited their stuttering campaign.

The first real chance after a cagey opening 10 minutes came when, with Spurs probing patiently, Luka Modric found space on the edge of the area and shot low to force a strong save from the alert Howard.

With the hosts warming to the task, gasps of disbelief reverberated around the stands as a magical 'no-look' flick from Van der Vaart nearly set Modric free in the box as they looked to execute an incisive one-two.

But the visitors opened the scoring against the run of play on 17 minutes when, with supreme technique, Baines curled a stunning left-foot shot into the apex of the top corner from a 20-yard free kick which Younes Kaboul could have avoided conceding.

Yet Spurs hit back three minutes later.

A teasing deep cross from marauding right-back Alan Hutton, a constant threat in the first 45 minutes, was inexplicably flapped at by Howard allowing Crouch to bundle the ball back across goal.

Completely unmarked, former Real Madrid man Van der Vaart crashed the ball home from two yards and has now scored in all four of his appearances at White Hart Lane.

Everton managed the odd break but Tottenham largely dominated possession, with Van der Vaart the fulcrum and energetic Modric full of elusive running.

The Croatian shot just wide from 25 yards out in the 27th minute before trying to slide in Aaron Lennon, who began to peel off the right wing to good effect.

Crouch had what looked like a decent penalty appeal turned down when Phil Jagielka backed into the England forward as he tried to get on the end of a Hutton centre.

Welsh referee Marc Jones was unconvinced.

Tottenham's target man then failed to convert a decent opportunity - again from another of Hutton's testing crosses - as he headed into Howard's arms just before half-time.

Redknapp brought Sandro on for Wilson Palacios, who had been booked, for the second period.

And the Brazilian midfielder soon whipped over an excellent cross for the ever-dangerous Gareth Bale to nod across the face of Howard's goal, though Kaboul failed to gamble when he might have converted easily.

No doubt fired up by a rousing half-time team talk from manager Moyes, Everton dug deep and managed to wrestle more possession from the hosts.

But the visitors were largely unable to test Spurs goalkeeper Huerelho Gomes, with Steven Pienaar blazing over on 65 minutes and Tim Cahill creaming a skimming effort just wide soon after.

With Tottenham drifting, striker Roman Pavlyuchenko came on for winger Lennon as they increased their efforts to clinch victory.

Gareth Bale, now on the right, immediately set Crouch free in the box - but he could not get a shot off - while Modric, still probing conscientiously, slid Pavlyuchenko through.

Yet the Russian hesitated from 18 yards out when confronted with the option of shooting or passing to various team-mates.

The audible admiration of Spurs fans in the first half turned to groans of vague dismay as their determined team could not craft the winning goal they so craved.

Everton did retain possession well but their final ball was, at times, poor.

Van der Vaart could have had a dramatic final say on events but, as he wriggled free in the box, Sylvan Distin made a superb block and Tottenham had to settle for a point which takes them third in the table - at least for 24 hours - ahead of north London rivals Arsenal.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp: "They're a good side and you're never get an easy game [against Everton]. I thought we had the better chances but it didn't quite drop for us.

"You want to win every game, but what is important - when you're not going to win - is not getting caught out late on with the sucker-punch and end up getting beat. Sometimes we have done that in the past, like at Wigan.

"But we stayed solid and the centre backs were top class. We've always showed good spirit and a never-say-die attitude."

Everton boss David Moyes: "Any point at White Hart Lane is a good point. That'll be the case for any team here this season.

"It was a good point, a hard-working point. Tim Howard knows he's made a mistake but he did very well after that.

"We're a bit harder to beat right now and we look a bit more likely to score. When we get our players back from injury, we'll be a match for anyone."