Tim Howard and Everton pulled off their second straight Premier League victory to start the season on Tuesday, this time to the tune of a 3-1 away decision against Tottenham Hotspur.

Howard was not called upon often, though the American did come up with some key saves late in the game to preserve Everton's two-goal advantage.

Joleon Lescott got things started for the visitors, beating Anthony Gardner to score a close range header from Mikael Arteta's free kick, stunning the Tottenham crowd only three minutes into the match.

Gardner would have his revenge not long afterwards, though, by heading home a goal of his own off a corner kick just over 20 minutes after the opener.

However, the Tottenham side that saw three changes from last week's loss against Sunderland couldn't capitalize on their newfound momentum, surrendering another goal in which Arteta was the main provider.

It was the Spaniard's excellent cross that gave the Tottenham defense trouble, as Ricardo Rocha's weak headed clearance found Leon Osman at the right place at the right time to put Everton back in the lead.

As if things couldn't have gotten any worse for Tottenham, bad luck also came into play as Everton would double their advantage just before the half.

Alan Stubbs free kick looked to be covered by Tottenham keeper Paul Robinson until defender Didier Zokora deflected the shot with his foot, sending the ball up and over the helpless netminder.

Tottenham were booed off the pitch at the half, and failed to give their fans anything to ease their spirits in the second interval. Though their play was strong, the final pass was nowhere to be found and, after Dietmar Berbatov's powerful header crashed off the bar, it appeared that luck was not on their side either.

The addition of substitute Jermaine Defoe did little to spark the Spurs attack, though the England striker managed to force Howard into a key save from close range.

Scoring
EVE - Joleon Lescott 1 (Mikel Arteta) 3'
TOTT - Anthony Gardner 1 26'
EVE - Leon Osman 2 37'
EVE - Alan Stubbs 1 45'

Line-ups
EVE - Tim Howard; Tony Hibbert, Joseph Yobo, Alan Stubbs, Joleon Lescott, Leon Osman, Phil Neville, Lee Carsley, Mikel Arteta, Andy Johnson, Victor Anichebe (Phil Jagielka 80')

TOTT - Paul Robinson; Pascal Chimbonda, Younes Kaboul (Ricardo Rocha 18), Ricardo Gardner, Paul Stalteri (Wayne Routledge 67'), Didier Zokora, Jermaine Jenas, Steed Malbranque, Roy Keane, Dimitar Berbatov, Darren Bent (Jermain Defoe 61')