Tottenham Hotspur 2 - 0 Everton

Toffees trounced by Spurs

Updated: October 27, 2009, 7:00 AM UK

Tom Huddlestone and Robbie Keane got Tottenham dreaming of Carling Cup glory again after reaching the quarter-finals at the expense of Everton at White Hart Lane.

• Bentley: I'm back in business

Spurs reached the final of the competition in the last two seasons, winning it in 2008, and they are two ties from Wembley again after Huddlestone's thunderbolt volley and Keane following up his own saved penalty. They still needed saves from Heurelho Gomes at the start of each half to extend Everton's run of matches without a win to five.

Both sides have ambitions of pushing the traditional top-four heavyweights for a place in the Champions League but the cup competitions represent their chance of glory.

Everton boss David Moyes had to field a strong team anyway, with 10 senior players on the treatment table but Ayegbeni Yakubu returning from a heel problem to replace Jo. It was the only change possible from the defeat to Bolton and his bench contained five youngsters.

Harry Redknapp also put David Button, Dorian Dervite, Dean Parrett and Harry Kane in his matchday squad but fringe players such as David Bentley, Gareth Bale and Alan Hutton seized their chance and Roman Pavlyuchenko started after Russia boss Guus Hiddink spoke to the Spurs boss last week about how to fire up the striker.

Pavlyuchenko has fallen behind Jermain Defoe and Keane during Tottenham's promising start to the season, while Everton were looking to kick-start theirs again after their recent poor results.

The visitors, wearing a purple strip for the Liverpool Unites charity, created the first chance after four minutes. Lucas Neill's throw was back-heeled on by Marouane Fellaini and Louis Saha hooked the ball on target, only for Gomes to stretch backwards and tip over.

It was no surprise that Everton started well as their last three trips to Spurs had resulted in victories. Bentley had Spurs' first effort when he cut inside Tony Hibbert on the right flank but dragged his left-footed shot well wide of Tim Howard's goal.

Pavlyuchenko had their first clear-cut chance when Keane charged down Neill's clearance - but the Russian blasted wide after racing through. He went wide again shortly after when he got on the end of Hutton's low cross, with the full-back taking advantage of Bentley's dummy after Wilson Palacios had spread the ball wide.

Keane got closer on the half-hour mark. Sylvain Distin twice made a total mess of clearing Benoit Assou-Ekotto's ball over the top and Keane poked the ball onto the post. But Spurs were ahead in the 31st minute, seconds after they were defending a corner. Keane shifted the ball to Bentley on the right, his cross was missed by Pavlyuchenko but Huddlestone thumped the ball home with a left-footed volley.

Everton, after taking Saha off for Jo, were almost level immediately after the restart when Tim Cahill made a yard of room for himself and unleashed a drive towards the top corner that Gomes parried. The Brazilian also saved from Jo after Fellaini sent him through.

Keane then had two opportunities, first when he unselfishly squared for Pavlyuchenko and then when he raced through and was denied by Hibbert's last-ditch tackle.

He eventually added the second in the 57th minute following up his own penalty, finishing off the total chaos that ensued when Howard saved his spot-kick. The American then denied Bentley and Keane again, Bale had a stab before the Spurs skipper smashed into the top corner.

Everton believed they were still in the game and Fellaini forced Gomes into another save, this time with a low drive.

John Heitinga's tackle denied Keane a second goal, while Hutton almost tarnished a fine performance with a risky backpass - but Gomes saved him from embarrassment.

Bentley: I'm back in business

David Bentley admits he has not been focused on football while at Tottenham but declared himself back with his performance in the Carling Cup victory against Everton.

''I enjoyed it,'' Bentley said. ''It's been a difficult time since I've been here, I've encountered every problem in the book and it's just nice to get my head down now and hopefully concentrate on football.

''I just looked to enjoy myself and give 100%. Sometimes my efforts have been lacking at times because I haven't been fully focused on football. I think I've got that right now and against Everton I worked hard and my ability came out. I was happy with it.''

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp has been disappointed with Bentley's attitude in training but was pleased the £15 million signing from Blackburn took his chance to shine.

''He's got to play like that and put that effort in,'' Redknapp said. ''Aaron has played so well, he's not had the opportunity. His attitude was not as good in training as it could be and I spoke to him about that. He accepts that and is determined to put that right. Maybe he didn't see light at the end of the tunnel.

''But he's a decent boy and was very good against Everton, I was really pleased. We all saw him as a kid at Arsenal and when he went on loan from there. When he plays like that he's a good player.''

Bentley was linked with a move to Manchester City on deadline day and Redknapp feels the England midfielder has to play well regardless of his future.

''Whether he want to stay here or move he has to play well,'' the Spurs boss added. ''People might see that and think 'I could do with him' and if he plays well I will want to keep him too.''

Lennon's injury means Bentley is likely to be given the opportunity to replicate his 45-yard goal against his former club this time last year.

''It was the best thing ever to come to Tottenham and do that at Arsenal,'' Bentley added. ''It was great and hopefully it can happen again. We'll have to see about Saturday. Azza (Lennon) has been playing so well since I've come to the club, he's been exceptional and has made it very difficult for me. I haven't been able to challenge him the way I would have liked but hopefully we'll see what happens now. I'll keep working hard and see what I can do.''

David Moyes refused to speak to the media after his side's defeat. It is thought he is upset about organisers refusing to move the match and ease Everton's fixture congestion.