Everton 1 Swansea 1: Michael Laudrup hails his battling Swans side for holding their own in Goodison Park draw

They produced a solid showing in securing this stalemate that prevented the Toffees from closing the gap on Tottenham in pursuit of that all-important fourth place in the Premier League.

Swans manager Michael Laudrup was thrilled with the goalless draw, as well as the way his side are consistently punching above their weight.

“To come here and play Everton in such a difficult away game after playing in midweek against Chelsea and to get a point is a great result,” said the former Barcelona and Real Madrid star.

Laudrup also admitted that the tactics his side employed to stifle a creative Everton side were not quite what comes naturally to his otherwise exuberant players.

He added: “Once more, it was a great performance, although maybe getting the points in a different way that we are used to.”

Everton almost got off to a flyer inside the opening minute but after being teed up by Steven Pienaar’s clever back-heel, Marouane Fellaini’s shot from the edge of the box was comfortably saved by Michel Vorm.

Nikica Jelavic then went close but failed to convert Pienaar’s 10th-minute cross, before the visitors managed to make any mark on the contest.

When their opening did arrive it fell, unsurprisingly, to Spanish hotshot Miguel Michu, who was being watched by national coach Vicente del Bosque.

But the forward was denied when his audacious lob was tipped onto the bar by Everton keeper Tim Howard.

The second half was a cagey affair with both sides cancelling each other out and no player from either side was able to step up and make a difference.

Swansea, now unbeaten in seven matches, will be aiming to build on their momentum at home against Stoke this weekend before the second leg of their League cup semi-final against Chelsea.

Meanwhile Everton must take three points for their forthcoming trip to Southampton to continue in their push for Champions League qualification.