Tim Sherwood’s hopes of becoming permanent Tottenham manager were boosted after his attacking team came back to win 3-2 at Southampton yesterday.

Forgotten man Emmanuel Adebayor scored twice as caretaker boss Sherwood played the Togo striker up front with Roberto Soldado for the first time in a ploy which helped Spurs move above Manchester United into seventh spot.

Sherwood, who took over when Andre Villas-Boas was sacked after the previous weekend’s 5-0 home thumping by Liverpool, threw caution to the wind in his bid to get the job full-time by also playing without a defensive midfielder.

“You enjoy it when you win. I did not enjoy the first half, I thought we were poor,” Sherwood said.

“I need to speak to the chairman about how they want to take the club forward. That’ll happen sooner rather than later I hope, as these guys need a manager.

“I like to set teams up like that (in an attacking manner). There are no rules, there are different ways to win a football match. You have to do what you believe.”

Everton surged up to fourth after England prospect Ross Barkley’s perfect free-kick six minutes from time secured a deserved 2-1 win at Swansea City.

Everton opened the scoring after 66 minutes following sustained pressure when Seamus Coleman’s fierce swerving shot was allowed in at the near post by keeper Gerhard Tremmel.

Swansea were without injured talisman Michu and had brief hope when Dwight Tiendalli’s prod deflected in off Bryan Oviedo.

Southampton 2
Lallana 13; Lambert 59;
Tottenham 3
Adebayor 25, 64; Hooiveld 54og;

HT: 1-1. Att: 31,455.

Swansea City 1
Oviedo 70og;
Everton 2
Coleman 66; Barkley 84;

HT: 0-0. Att: 20,695

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