Nikica Jelavic marked his first outing at Goodison Park with the winning goal in Everton's 1-0 victory over Harry Redknapp's slumping Spurs.

Redknapp's season crumbling; Moyes provides perfect celebration

Nikica Jelavic marked his home debut for Everton with the winning goal in a 1-0 victory over Tottenham which ensured Harry Redknapp's Premier League season continued to crumble. The Croatian, a £5.5million January deadline day signing from Rangers who had previously played two away games for Everton, opened his Premier League account in the first half with a wonderfully precise finish. Tottenham had struggled with their shape and in the second half, regardless of a gentleman's agreement between Harry Redknapp and David Moyes which was redundant under league rules, introduced Louis Saha. The former Everton striker hit a post in a frantic finale but Spurs still suffered three consecutive Premier League defeats for the first time under Redknapp and critics will continue to suggest their campaign is imploding amid the reports linking their manager to the England job. In contrast, Moyes provided the perfect Goodison Park celebration ahead of next week's 10-year anniversary as Everton manager and maintained momentum ahead of Tuesday's Merseyside derby at Liverpool. It extended Everton's unbeaten run to 10 in all competitions and they head to Anfield just two points behind Kenny Dalglish's side. Spurs, conversely, have North London rivals Arsenal breathing down their necks and could see the gap to the fourth-placed Gunners cut to just a point on Monday night. For all the talent the visitors had on display it was Jelavic who stole the headlines as he opened his account just 77 minutes into his Everton career, having made just two previous substitute appearances. When the 26-year-old arrived at Goodison Park, he was asked what he would bring to the club. "Goals, goals, goals" was the response and he started to deliver on that promise with a sumptuous strike midway through the first half.

Goals, goals, goals

Jelavic had looked a threat from the start, generally offering a willing outlet up front, and moments before his goal he provided the knockdown from which Marouane Fellaini forced Brad Friedel to save an angled shot with his legs. In the 22nd minute, he played a pivotal part with the sort of finish Everton have been missing since the sale of Saha in January. The Frenchman was watching from the bench, although Moyes' claims he had a gentlemen's agreement with Redknapp was disproved in the second half when the striker was sent on. Leon Osman broke past Younes Kaboul into the box and brilliantly took both Sandro and Ledley King out of the game with his cutback which Jelavic clinically fired first-time past Friedel. Jelavic did not appear to be lacking in confidence and with established free-kick takers Leighton Baines and Royston Drenthe standing over the ball he whipped in a right-footed shot which was turned away by the diving Spurs goalkeeper Friedel. Most of the threat before the match had been expected to come from Drenthe and Tottenham winger Gareth Bale. Redknapp's decision to post the Wales international on the right meant Drenthe had to be switched to the opposite flank in order for Seamus Coleman to track Bale. It also meant Moyes could keep a closer eye on the Dutchman who excites and infuriates in equal measure with his unpredictability. Throughout most of the first half the Everton manager instructed, cajoled and ordered the on-loan Real Madrid midfielder into where he wanted him. It