A dash of brilliance from Spurs old and new ensured the points were shared at Goodison Park.
Trailing, undeservedly, to their former winger Aaron Lennon’s volley, Spurs responded with a touch of class from teenager Dele Alli to leave Merseyside with a 1-1 draw.
Aaron Lennon (left) is congratulated by Ross Barkley after putting Everton ahead
If Spurs were seeking a new year statement regarding a title challenge they may have left disappointed.
As further evidence of their capacity to secure a Champions League return – and the promise of what their exciting youngsters can achieve in future - they’ll see this performance as proof a top four finish in 2016 is in their hands.
Mauricio Pochettino will feel his side should have won after a dominant but frustrating first half, yet as Everton improved in a more balanced second period he’d have embraced the point that kept the hosts trailing in mid-table.
Goodison Park possession
In this most peculiar of seasons, no team bewilders more than Everton. Roberto Martinez’s side has outscored leaders Arsenal but only five clubs have conceded more. Herein lies the crux of the inconsistency sabotaging Champions League aspirations.
Spurs were once guilty of similar erraticism, revelling in their image as entertainers while the soft underbelly ensured they were never referred to as title challengers.
Pochettino is changing that. You get the feeling he would have circled this fixture as the truest barometer of how much his team can achieve.
The fluency with which they started justified the view this Spurs has side has a different face.
Everton's attacking statistics
Taking the initiative, they were denied a goal within three minutes by Seamus Coleman’s last ditch tackle on Alli.
Kane was closer on nine minutes when he accepted an invitation to smash one from distance. The inside of the post came to Tim Howard’s rescue.
The woodwork was no friend to Spurs as Ben Davies saw another spectacular effort from distance rattle the crossbar on 30 minutes, by which time the visitors’ were chasing an equaliser.
For 21 minutes it was tempting to ask Lennon if he’d paid for his ticket to watch his former team mates stroke the ball around.
The ex-Tottenham winger was hardly alone as Pochettino’s side monopolised possession and controlled the game’s speed dial. Then Tom Cleverley picked out Romelu Lukaku, and his nod down to Lennon was met with a perfect left-footed volley. Somehow Everton led, and Martinez’s willingness to play counter-attacking football in his own stadium was reaping rewards.
Tottenham Hotspur's attacking statistics
Lennon’s period at White Hart Lane ended sourly, the ex-England man requesting to train with the youngsters having been informed he was no longer part of the Argentine coach’s plans. Suffice to say, he had Pochettino’s attention here.
Pochettino greater concern as half-time approached was how his side could possibly be behind, but as the fourth official signalled two additional minutes Alli struck the game’s second memorable goal.
It was basic in its construction but gorgeous in its execution, Toby Alderweireld’s long ball chested by the youngster and volleyed instantly past Howard. Everton were left to ask how Coleman failed to track his man, but take nothing way from the brilliance of the finish.
Everton began the second half with greater attacking intent, but Kane and Eriksen issued swift reminders of Spurs capacity to move through the gears from back to front.
Kane sliced wide and Eriksen fired straight at Howard as the Londoners sought to regain their control.
It was telling when Roberto Martinez felt compelled to make a double substitution on the hour, Lennon and Arouna Kone making way for Gerard Deulofeu and Mo Besic.
The substitutions galvanised the home side, Deulofeu’s magician-ship especially encouraging as Spurs’ defence was finally under sustained pressure.
Both sides could won it in an entertaining finale, both managers aware what could have been better could also have gone wrong as full-time approached.
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