Tottenham 0
Everton 1

Ledley King today said Tottenham must be more inventive in attack and concentrate harder in defence if they are to climb away from the relegation zone.

Everton's 1-0 win at White Hart Lane was Spurs' first home defeat under Harry Redknapp and left them above the Premier League's bottom three on goal difference alone, despite winning four of their seven league fixtures since their new manager's arrival on 26 October.

Steven Pienaar's winner in the 51st minute owed much to poor Spurs defending, while Redknapp's team looked short of ideas in attack, with their Croatian playmaker Luka Modric still missing with a groin injury.

King said: "It is up to us to do more and to have more imagination to open teams up. We played too much direct football against Everton.

"We miss Luka Modric, because that is what he is all about. When you give him the ball in the final third, he makes things happen and we hope he is back for our next game [at Watford in the Carling Cup on Wednesday].

"Every time we lose a game, it is a wake-up call for us and a reminder of how much work there is still to be done. We went on a really good run but we have not really gone too far up the table.

"In games like yesterday's, good teams grind out a 0-0 draw and take a point. But we switched off for a split second, which cost us, and we are disappointed with that."

Although this was their first defeat at White Hart Lane since Redknapp took over, Spurs have lost four league games there this term, and King admitted the players needed to get their act together in front of their own fans.

The Spurs captain added: "Over the years, teams have found it hard to win at White Hart Lane but last season and so far this season, we have slipped off the boil a bit at home. We need to make it a fortress again."

Indeed, the return of Modric cannot come quickly enough. Without their playmaker, Spurs lack imagination and the ease with which they were kept at arm's length by Everton would have been alarming for Redknapp.

The good news is that Modric could even be fit for Wednesday's Carling Cup quarter-final at Watford, although Redknapp may not risk the 23-year-old, as Premier League points are still clearly the priority.

After a slow start, Spurs pressed hard late in the game but failed to create any clear chances.

In fact, Everton's level of concentration at the back and in midfield set an example for Spurs, whose lack of focus allowed the visitors to score the only goal.

They switched off at a free-kick, allowing Mikel Arteta to take it quickly to Pienaar whose drive clipped Vedran Corluka and flew past Heurelho Gomes.

An angry Redknapp said: "They play a short free-kick, it's in the back of our net and half of us are not looking at the ball. It cost us the game.

"We've got tough games coming up; West Ham and Manchester United. West Ham on 8 December at Upton Park is not easy and Manchester United at home five days later couldn't be any tougher.

"Certain parts of the team and game weren't good enough. We are fortunate we have Ledley King and keeping him fit is vital for this club.

"Unfortunately, his knee makes it difficult for him to play regularly but when he does he makes such a difference to us."

King will not play at Watford and Redknapp is expected to rest other key men like Jonathan Woodgate, David Bentley and Huddlestone, while Jermaine Jenas may also be held back after missing out against Everton due to a toe problem.