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Tottenham's hopes of playing European football next season were dealt a blow after a goalless draw against Everton at a soggy Goodison Park.

With Fulham beating Aston Villa at Craven Cottage, the stalemate on Merseyside saw Spurs lose ground in the race for a Europa League place.

West Ham, level 48 on points with Spurs, play Liverpool later on Saturday, while Manchester City, a point behind, can move above Spurs should they get something from the Manchester derby on Sunday.

Everton, meanwhile, moved to within a point of fifth-placed Villa, with two games remaining this season.

The Toffees have already sealed a place in Europe next season, and their performance during the first quarter of the game offered did little to suggest they have anything else to achieve in the league this season - their early showing smacked of a meaningless end-of-campaign run out.

Spurs capitalised on the hosts' initial lethargy, dominating the opening exchanges and refusing to allow Everton out of their own half for long periods.

Yet Harry Redknapp's side failed to make their early superiority count, Robbie Keane seeing a goalbound shot well blocked by Joseph Yobo in the seventh minute and Gareth Bale firing a twice-taken free-kick just over the ball soon after.

With the crowd voicing concern over their side's sluggish performance, Everton finally upped their game as the first half drew to a close; indeed the hosts went in at the break on top, although a goal would have been harsh on Spurs.

On 41 minutes, Jo caused panic in the Spurs' back line when he ran on to Steven Pienaar's through pass - Ledley King eventually blocked the Brazilian's effort with Heurelho Gomes off his line - while Marouane Fellaini and Jack Rodwell both sent long-distance efforts off-target in quick succession.

Everton continued their resurgence after the break but, much like Spurs earlier on, they were incapable of converting chances into what really counts - goals.

Tim Cahill, on 58 minutes, and Pienaar, on 72 minutes, both went close with swerving efforts on goal while sandwiched between those chances, Dan Gosling struck an upright with an awkward shot that bounced up off the turf.

Immediately after the frame of the goal had come to Spurs' rescue, the visitors raced downfield where Jermain Defoe forged their best chance of the second half. The striker, back in the starting line-up alongside Keane, turned his man well before sending a curling effort just the wrong side of the post.

It proved the nearest the visitors came to snatching a winner as not even the introduction of Roman Pavlyuchenko as a third striker with nine minutes remaining made a difference to the result.

At the other end Everton were equally impotent in terms of providing a threat in front of goal and the full-time whistle was met by boos from the home crowd.

At least they have European football and an FA Cup final to look forward to - should results go against them elsewhere, Spurs could well finish the season with nothing at all.

Mike Hytner / Eurosport