Antonio Conte was given an early indication of the huge challenge that lies ahead if he is take Tottenham back to the Champions League as Spurs laboured to a 0-0 draw at Everton on Sunday.

A game short on clear-cut chances could easily have ended in Tottenham's sixth defeat in eight league games but for a controversial intervention from VAR to overturn the decision to award Everton a second-half penalty.

Giovani lo Celso nearly snatched all three points for Spurs when his shot hit the post late on before Everton had to see out stoppage time a man down following Mason Holgate's straight red card.

Conte can point to a first clean sheet in the league since August as the first sign of progress since replacing Nuno Espirito Santo earlier this week.

However, their struggle to score goals goes on as Harry Kane has still netted just once in the Premier League this season.

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Tottenham climb to ninth, four points adrift of the top four, while Everton are a point worse off in 11th.

The sackings of Norwich boss Daniel Farke and Aston Villa manager Dean Smith over the weekend took the total in the English top-flight to five already this season.

Rafael Benitez is another manager under pressure as a bright start has given way to two points from the last 15 on offer in the league.

Benitez's appointment was not warmly welcomed by a large proportion of the Everton support due to his Champions League-winning past at rivals Liverpool.

But the Spaniard has been hamstrung by injuries to key players and the presence of Abdoulaye Doucoure and Dominic Calvert-Lewin was badly missed by the home side.

Tottenham had the better of a poor first 45 minutes from both sides. Sergio Reguilon blazed over the best chance from Kane's pinpoint cross.

The game suddenly sparked into life on the hour mark when Everton thought they had a penalty after Hugo Lloris dived at the feet of Richarlison and clipped the Brazilian.

However, after a VAR review, referee Chris Kavanagh overturned his original decision on the basis Lloris got enough of a touch on the ball.

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A replay of the incident shown inside Goodison Park sparked outrage among the Everton fans and they used the sense of injustice to fuel their best spell of the game.

Demarai Gray had the best chance to win the game for the Toffees, but he steered Lucas Digne's cross just wide of the far post.

Tottenham still retained a threat on the counter-attack despite an off day for Kane and Son Heung-min.

Substitute Lo Celso produced a rare moment of quality when his curling effort from 25 yards beat Jordan Pickord and came back off the post.

Holgate was then rightly shown red after another VAR review for a wild lunge on Pierre Emile Hojbjerg.

Antonio Conte was given an early indication of the huge challenge that lies ahead if he is take Tottenham back to the Champions League as Spurs laboured to a 0-0 draw at Everton on Sunday.

Antonio Conte was given an early indication of the huge challenge that lies ahead if he is take Tottenham back to the Champions League as Spurs laboured to a 0-0 draw at Everton on Sunday. A game short on clear-cut chances could easily have ended in Tottenham's sixth defeat in eight league games but for a controversial intervention from VAR to overturn the decision to award Everton a second-half penalty. Giovani lo Celso nearly snatched all three points for Spurs when his shot hit the post late on before Everton had to see out stoppage time a man down following Mason Holgate's straight red card. Conte can point to a first clean sheet in the league since August as the first sign of progress since replacing Nuno Espirito Santo earlier this week. However, their struggle to score goals goes on as Harry Kane has still netted just once in the Premier League this season. ALSO READ: Aston Villa sack manager Dean Smith after defeat vs Southampton Tottenham climb to ninth, four points adrift of the top four, while Everton are a point worse off in 11th. The sackings of Norwich boss Daniel Farke and Aston Villa manager Dean Smith over the weekend took the total in the English top-flight to five already this season. Rafael Benitez is another manager under pressure as a bright start has given way to two points from the last 15 on offer in the league. Benitez's appointment was not warmly welcomed by a large proportion of the Everton support due to his Champions League-winning past at rivals Liverpool. But the Spaniard has been hamstrung by injuries to key players and the presence of Abdoulaye Doucoure and Dominic Calvert-Lewin was badly missed by the home side. Tottenham had the better of a poor first 45 minutes from both sides. Sergio Reguilon blazed over the best chance from Kane's pinpoint cross. The game suddenly sparked into life on the hour mark when Everton thought they had a penalty after Hugo Lloris dived at the feet of Richarlison and clipped the Brazilian. However, after a VAR review, referee Chris Kavanagh overturned his original decision on the basis Lloris got enough of a touch on the ball. ALSO READ: Premier League: Manchester City outclass crisis-hit Manchester United A replay of the incident shown inside Goodison Park sparked outrage among the Everton fans and they used the sense of injustice to fuel their best spell of the game. Demarai Gray had the best chance to win the game for the Toffees, but he steered Lucas Digne's cross just wide of the far post. Tottenham still retained a threat on the counter-attack despite an off day for Kane and Son Heung-min. Substitute Lo Celso produced a rare moment of quality when his curling effort from 25 yards beat Jordan Pickord and came back off the post. Holgate was then rightly shown red after another VAR review for a wild lunge on Pierre Emile Hojbjerg.

Premier League: Drab draw with Everton shows task ahead for Antonio Conte at Tottenham Hotspur

Carlo Ancelotti said his belief that Everton will compete with the Premier League's top six this season was justified after Dominic Calvert-Lewin's towering header earned their first win over Tottenham since 2012 with a 1-0 victory on Sunday.

Ancelotti has been heavily backed with the signings of James Rodriguez, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Allan, and the Toffees looked a much-improved side on the one that finished 12th last season as they were thoroughly deserving winners at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

"We showed we can compete, which is the most important message, that we can compete if the spirit is good, if the attitude is good," said Ancelotti.

"I said before the game our target was to fight for the European places. The first game was good, we have to see the second game and the third game, so we have to wait a little bit but I have a lot of confidence. I had (confidence) before this game and I have more confidence now, but we have to be focused."

Spurs are also hoping for an upturn in Jose Mourinho's first full season as boss, but the hosts looked &nbsp;short on ideas as they slipped to a damaging home defeat for their aspirations of mounting a challenge to get back into the top four this season.

"I didn't like my team," said Mourinho, who complained of the free-kick leading to Everton's goal and his players' lack of preparation time in a shortened pre-season.

"After their goal we were poor. We were not physically strong, there was no intensity. The team lacks physical condition."

Mourinho added Spurs' pre-season had been hit by positive coronavirus tests, but did not reveal the players involved.

Everton looked the fitter and better prepared side with their new midfield trio helping to control possession, but it was on the counter-attack they wasted by far the best chance of the game.

Richarlison intercepted Ben Davies's wayward pass and accelerated past Toby Alderweireld and Hugo Lloris before skewing high and wide with an open goal to aim at and Calvert-Lewin begging for a cut-back.

Spurs offered little as an attacking threat, but Jordan Pickford did have to make two good saves before half-time to deny Dele Alli and Matt Doherty on his debut.

Everton surrendered meekly to a 1-0 defeat when they visited the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in July without mustering a meaningful shot on goal.

But the difference a few months and fresh faces can make was on show in the second half as they controlled the game to earn a first win over Spurs in 16 games.

The only goal of the game arrived 10 minutes after the break as Calvert-Lewin rose highest to power Lucas Digne's free-kick into the top corner.

Mourinho said on Friday he hopes to add another striker before the end of the transfer window to add some support to Harry Kane, but any new arrival will need better service to work with as the England captain did not have an opportunity to get his side back on level terms.

Everton and Richarlison continued to enjoy all the chances as twice the Brazilian cut inside on his favoured right foot and curled efforts just beyond Lloris's far post.

However, one goal was enough for a statement win for the visitors and the worst possible start for Tottenham ahead of a gruelling schedule as they face up to eight games in the Europa League, League Cup and Premier League in the next three weeks.

"On Thursday we have a knockout game (in the Europa League) so there is not much time to cry or complain," added Mourinho.

Carlo Ancelotti said his belief that Everton will compete with the Premier League's top six this season was justified after Dominic Calvert-Lewin's towering header earned their first win over Tottenham since 2012 with a 1-0 victory on Sunday.

Carlo Ancelotti said his belief that Everton will compete with the Premier League's top six this season was justified after Dominic Calvert-Lewin's towering header earned their first win over Tottenham since 2012 with a 1-0 victory on Sunday. Ancelotti has been heavily backed with the signings of James Rodriguez, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Allan, and the Toffees looked a much-improved side on the one that finished 12th last season as they were thoroughly deserving winners at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. "We showed we can compete, which is the most important message, that we can compete if the spirit is good, if the attitude is good," said Ancelotti. "I said before the game our target was to fight for the European places. The first game was good, we have to see the second game and the third game, so we have to wait a little bit but I have a lot of confidence. I had (confidence) before this game and I have more confidence now, but we have to be focused." Spurs are also hoping for an upturn in Jose Mourinho's first full season as boss, but the hosts looked short on ideas as they slipped to a damaging home defeat for their aspirations of mounting a challenge to get back into the top four this season. "I didn't like my team," said Mourinho, who complained of the free-kick leading to Everton's goal and his players' lack of preparation time in a shortened pre-season. "After their goal we were poor. We were not physically strong, there was no intensity. The team lacks physical condition." Mourinho added Spurs' pre-season had been hit by positive coronavirus tests, but did not reveal the players involved. Everton looked the fitter and better prepared side with their new midfield trio helping to control possession, but it was on the counter-attack they wasted by far the best chance of the game. Richarlison intercepted Ben Davies's wayward pass and accelerated past Toby Alderweireld and Hugo Lloris before skewing high and wide with an open goal to aim at and Calvert-Lewin begging for a cut-back. Spurs offered little as an attacking threat, but Jordan Pickford did have to make two good saves before half-time to deny Dele Alli and Matt Doherty on his debut. Everton surrendered meekly to a 1-0 defeat when they visited the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in July without mustering a meaningful shot on goal. But the difference a few months and fresh faces can make was on show in the second half as they controlled the game to earn a first win over Spurs in 16 games. The only goal of the game arrived 10 minutes after the break as Calvert-Lewin rose highest to power Lucas Digne's free-kick into the top corner. Mourinho said on Friday he hopes to add another striker before the end of the transfer window to add some support to Harry Kane, but any new arrival will need better service to work with as the England captain did not have an opportunity to get his side back on level terms. Everton and Richarlison continued to enjoy all the chances as twice the Brazilian cut inside on his favoured right foot and curled efforts just beyond Lloris's far post. However, one goal was enough for a statement win for the visitors and the worst possible start for Tottenham ahead of a gruelling schedule as they face up to eight games in the Europa League, League Cup and Premier League in the next three weeks. "On Thursday we have a knockout game (in the Europa League) so there is not much time to cry or complain," added Mourinho.

Ancelotti confident new-look Everton can shake up top six after Spurs win

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Premier League: Drab draw with Everton shows task ahead for Antonio Conte at Tottenham Hotspur

Ancelotti confident new-look Everton can shake up top six after Spurs win