Harry Kane fires Tottenham into Europa League thanks to win over Everton

Tottenham secured a place in next season’s Europa League with a deserved 1-0 victory over Everton at Goodison Park.

Liverpool’s 6-1 capitulation at Stoke, coupled with Manchester City’s 2-0 win over Southampton, meant Spurs only needed a point to finish fifth, but they secured all three thanks to Harry Kane’s first goal in 383 minutes.

The visitors dominated their abject hosts in the first period, edging ahead when Kane stooped to meet Eric Dier’s sublime cross from the right flank, as the Toffees departed the field to boos.

Everton improved marginally after the restart, with 19-year-old Brendan Galloway impressing, but Spurs were rarely troubled as they finished the campaign with back-to-back victories.

Tottenham’s reward for finishing fifth is automatic qualification for the Europa League group stage, with Liverpool plunged into the third qualifying round.

16’ – CHANCE! Galloway needlessly concedes possession and Spurs stream forward. The ball breaks to Eriksen, who in turn feeds Lamela and the Argentine is foiled - just - by Howard.

18’ – ANOTHER CHANCE! It's end-to-end at Goodison Park. Mirallas springs the offside trap and curls a shot towards the far corner... Lloris - in potentially his last Tottenham match - denies the Belgian.

23’ – JUST OVER! Mirallas engages in a spot of keepie-uppie on the edge of the Spurs box, before bringing the ball under control and rifling an effort at goal... Skims the crossbar!

24’ – GOAL! Everton 0-1 Tottenham. Kane scores! Dier whips a sublime cross into the six-yard box, allowing the young Englishman to run onto the delivery and nod home. Quality assist.

43’ – BIG EVERTON CHANCE! The situation: Mirallas, facing towards the corner flag, is inside the penalty area with Lloris for company. The Belgian carries the ball away from goal, evades a wild lunge from the Spurs stopper and dinks a shot at goal... Onto the roof of the net.

51’ – CHANCE! Galloway plays an inadvertent one-two with Dier and races towards Lloris' goal. The French keeper gets down to deny him.

Spurs have won for the first time in eight Premier League matches at Everton (D4-L3), since a 2-1 victory on 21 February 2007.

Roberto Martinez is winless in all six Premier League home matches as a manager against Spurs (D3-L3).

Can Tottenham hold onto Kane, Eriksen and Lloris? If Spurs hope to challenge for a Champions League berth next season, they must hold on to their leading trio in the summer. It's going to be a painful transfer window for Mauricio Pochettino, but he can take solace from the fact he has the toughest negotiator in football fighting his corner: Daniel Levy.

Nabil Bentaleb (Tottenham): The Algerian excelled in an unfamiliar role at left-back, galloping forward and exposing Everton down the flank. Ominous times for Danny Rose and Ben Davies…

Everton: Howard 6, Coleman 6, Galloway 7, Stones 7, Jagielka 5, McCarthy 5, Barry 5, Mirallas 7, Barkley 5, Osman 6, Lukaku 6. Subs: Besic 7, Naismith 7, Distin N/A.

Spurs: Lloris 6, Dier 6, Vertonghen 8, Fazio 6, Mason 7, Benteleb 8, Dembele 7, Chadli 6, Eriksen 7, Lamela 6, Kane 6. Subs: Stambouli 6, Townsend N/A, Soldado N/A.