LONDON: Tottenham Hotspur produced their third comeback in four Premier League games to lift two curses and there was not a member of the -Adebayor clan in sight.
Emmanuel Adebayor is involved in a bizarre dispute with members of his family over whether or not they have tried to place a witch's spell on the Spurs striker. Adebayor was not part of the matchday squad yesterday because of a virus and, presumably, none of his family were inside White Hart Lane. But without the help of the Adebayors, Tottenham managed to beat their post-Europa League home hoodoo and Roberto Soldado finally broke his goal curse.
Adebayor had accused the Spurs supporters of being too quiet and critical after the defeat against Stoke City, but Soldado's name rang around White Hart Lane after the striker scored his first Premier League goal since March and he was given a standing ovation after being substituted with nine minutes remaining. The message to Adebayor seemed to be "it's not us, it's you".
Both teams had been in Europa League action in the week, with Tottenham beating Partizan Belgrade at White Hart Lane and Everton winning in Germany against Wolfsburg.
The European hangover has too often been heavy for Spurs, with Liverpool, West Bromwich Albion, Newcastle United and Stoke City all leaving White Hart Lane with three points, which had prompted Mauricio Pochettino, the head coach, to question the mental strength of his players, but there finally seems to be some fight in this Spurs side.
After seeing his team defeat Everton, Pochettino said: "It's not only three points, it's a little bit more. We broke a bad run of home results. It was important to get this victory. To win away and lose at home is not the right way. I understand why our supporters were angry. If you lose four at home, it is difficult for them to be happy. But the team have sent a different signal to our supporters. We must keep this feeling and mentality for the season."
Tottenham fought back at Aston Villa and Hull City after their opponents had been reduced to 10 men, and Spurs had to come from behind again after Everton took a 15th-minute lead. Vlad Chiriches brought Kevin Mirallas down on the corner of the area. Leighton Baines took the free-kick that Ryan Mason headed out of danger, but Soldado did not clear the ball to safety and Mirallas scored from the edge of the area.
Kane had been Tottenham's only bright spot so far this season and the forward had a large influence in Spurs pulling level against the run of play and then taking the initiative.
The England Under-21 international fizzed in a low shot that Tim Howard could only palm away and Christian Eriksen neatly placed the follow-up into the net.
Soldado had the chance to make up for his error for the Everton opener eight minutes before half-time, but, as has been the case so often in a Spurs shirt, the Spaniard did not make the most of it. However, his moment finally came in time added on for stoppages at the end of the first half and it owed much to the hard work of Kane who produced a superb tackle on Gareth Barry. Aaron Lennon picked the ball up and played in Soldado, whose finish beat Howard.
Lukaku tried a couple of shots from distance in the second half and Spurs survived a late penalty appeal, when the Belgian's header appeared to strike defender Federico Fazio's arm.
Roberto Martinez, the Everton manager, said: "Fazio makes himself really big and closes his eyes, and he's in an unusual position when it hits him. If it hits him in the chest, no complaints, but it hits him in the arm and it should have been a penalty."
Tottenham had worked hard for their stroke of luck and even Adebayor would not begrudge Soldado his magic moment.