(CNN) -- Tottenham Hotspur moved up to third in the English Premier League with a 1-1 home draw against Everton in Saturday's early kick-off, after Rafael van der Vaart's first-half strike equaled Leighton Baines' goal for the visitors.
In a contest where both teams showed their attacking intent early in the match to the delight of a clamorous crowd at White Hart Lane, it was defender Baines who put David Moyes' men ahead.
The 25-year-old's deftly-struck left-foot free-kick sailed into the top right-hand corner of the goal from the edge of the area, but the advantage proved to be short-lived.
Spurs, who made three changes to the side who lost 4-3 to Inter Milan in the European Champions League earlier in the week, equalized three minutes later.
Capitalizing on a defensive mix-up between Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard and Phil Neville from a deep cross, Van der Vaart celebrated his return from European suspension to slot home his fourth of the season on 19 minutes when the ball fell at his feet just yards from the goal line.
With parity restored, Luka Modric -- who shot just wide from distance shortly after -- and Dutchman Van der Vaart continued to show invention in the midfield when given space, while Tim Cahill remained an aerial threat for the Blues.
Peter Crouch saw two opportunities go begging shortly after the beginning of the second half, as Everton counter-punched with forays on both flanks and by raining crosses at Spurs' defense.
CNN
