Everton playing Tottenham Hotspur at Goodison Park was the most drawn fixture in Premier League history, with 17 of the 32 meetings ending level. Before today, each of the last five had been draws.
Ange Postecoglu had been under massive pressure as Spurs sit one place above Everton in 15th place, Everton on 17 points and Tottenham have 23. Incredibly, the Lilywhites had scored three times the number of goals than the Toffees.
Team News
David Moyes went with three defenders to combat Spurs, which meant a first Premier League start for Jake O’Brien. Three at the back or a back four? With Ashley Young on the bench it looks like a three. Jesper Lindstrom was the other change on the wing for Jack Harrison.
Spurs brought in James Maddison after he was left out of the starting line-up for the defeat at Arsenal, with Ben Davies also in the lineup. They replaced Yves Bissouma and the injured Dominic Solanke. Former Everton striker Richarlison was on the bench.
Match Report
The retro shirts were out in numbers and the many flags were waving proudly as Darren England blew his whistle to get the match underway. This was the first time in the more than 100 year history that the game was played with both teams in the bottom half of the division.
The high press was evident early on for Everton and was having a positive impact. Jake O’Brien was caught on the ball and Son forced an early corner but it was well defended. Jesper Lindstrom had the first real chance when he blasted a ball which forced a good save from Kinsky.
It was that pressure that forced a turnover and a lovely ball into the box from Idrissa Gueye landed on the foot of Calvert-Lewin who weaved between three Spurs players and slotted the ball into the back of the net.
The Goodison crowd was all in as the seats started to shake with the noise. Calvert-Lewin had ended his sixteen match goalless run.
Spurs were trying to get back on level terms but Everton’s defenders were holding firm. Kulusevski and Pedro Porro had chances blocked but the Lilywhites continued to pile forward. A scything pass from Porro into Kulesevski was then laid off to Son but he could not beat Pickford.
The Spurs forward play was creating openings at the back and a long ball from Branthwaite put Calvert Lewin in one on one but he could not get it under control which allowed Kinsky to pounce on the ball. Seconds later, Kinsky was called on to make another save when Mangala’s shot was pushed onto the post.
The action was end to end and when Son went down in the box under pressure from Branthwaite, VAR was called into play but turned down the calls. It was then a great ball from Gueye that set Ndiaye on his way and fast feet were too much for the Spurs defenders. He cut inside and blasted his shot into the top corner. Goodison rocked as Spirit of the Blues echoed around the Grand Old Lady.
The game was paused after Gueye was given some treatment for an impact injury. The first yellow card of the game was given to Bergvall who took down a breaking Calvert Lewin but moments later Calvert Lewin was booked for a high elbow on Dragusin that required some stitches.
Seven minutes of stoppage time was announced. Everton were passing the ball around nicely which was appreciated by the Everton faithful. A free kick from Lindstrom was delivered into the box and a diving Tarkowski was directed right at the keeper. Everton wanted a penalty but it was turned away.
A third corner in succession was recycled and Tarkowski headed the ball back across the box which was deflected by Calvert Lewin and then was put into his own net by Archie Gray. Goodison was in raptures. Possibly the best half of play seen at Goodison along with the Wolves match.
Ange Postecoglu was not a happy man and sent out his team five minutes early with Richarlison joining the match in place of Dragusin. Spurs were immediately on the front foot and were looking to get an early goal.
Ben Davies went through the back of Calvert Lewin and should have had a yellow. Lindstrom delivered the free kick and the whipped cross was headed wide by Calvert Lewin. The Everton press was causing more trouble for Spurs. The counter attack was also on for the Blues and Calvert Lewin had a chance to make it four but his shot curled round the post.
Everton were gaining in confidence by the minute but Spurs were showing more determination and when Spence went down in the box the referee waved it away. Doucoure received a yellow card for delaying the restart after Mangala fouled Kulusevski.
Jesper Lindstrom received a rousing round of applause as he was substituted by Ashley Young replacing the young Dane. Spurs were pushing and Maddison saw his shot go well over the bar. It was their first attempt in more than 15 minutes. Kulusevski then whipped a ball into the box but Richarlison could not get his head on it.
Spurs finally got the ball into the back of the Everton goal when Kulusevski pounced on some confusion in the Everton box. His lobbed shot was nicely done and the one player in white who had played well got his reward. A nervousness was heard in the crowd but they raised their voices to lift their team.
Iliman Ndiaye was struggling with cramp and was withdrawn with Patterson coming on. The Everton players were tiring and Mykolenko was also needing support. There were gaps starting to open up and Tottenham were growing in confidence. Richarlison had a pop at goal but Pickford was equal to the task.
Calvert Lewin took down a long pass from Pickford but the onrushing Kinsky swiped away the ball before the striker could lob it over the top. Jake O’Brien was withdrawn to make way for Michael Keane with three minutes to play. Nathan Patterson made a good defensive play and then forced a foul to slow down the match.
Four minutes of additional time was shown on the board as Spurs looked like they were running out of ideas although Pickford was required to get down to protect his post to prevent a goal. The resulting short corner saw Pickford hesitate and Richarlison pounced to cut the deficit to one.
Spurs pushed forward and when the ball was lobbed into the box Pickford took control to shut down the chance. Everton had enough to get them over the line and as Tarkowski slipped taking a free kick, Darren England blew his whistle and the three points were in the bag.
Everton Man of the Match: Idrissa Gueye - On a day when Calvert Lewin ended his goal scoring drought and Everton put three past Spurs, it was the relentless determination and quality of Gueye that stood out for me. Box to box work was present for the whole match but it was the quality of the passes for the first two goals that ultimately set the team on their way.
Instant Reaction
A game against Tottenham at Goodison was screaming for a draw but that was not the cast today. In fact, the first half display was a beauty. Also, Spurs had been hit by injuries and this was the perfect day to play them. Moyes had some time to work with the team and the high press was more prominent throughout the match. The inclusion of O’Brien and Lindstrom was an obvious selection choice by Moyes that paid dividends. Thankfully, a complete collapse was not on today and the vital three points were ours.
It is incredible what a goal can do. Calvert-Lewin’s goal was the catalyst for a weight being removed from the striker. Although it could be argued that he ‘scored’ two against Wolves, the 16 game drought was sucking the enthusiasm out of him. His play from that moment was more passionate and more direct. It could argued that this was a second time that the team has been lifted by the striker’s goal. Both the Wolves match and today saw the team gain confidence when Calvert Lewin ‘scored’. Long may it continue.
It was a big moment for Jake O’Brien today as the young lad made his first Premier League start since his summer switch from France. O’Brien was lining up alongside both captain James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite in a three centre-back formation that changed to a five when they were defending. Moyes has seen what Dyche could not.....having a young defender can make you better. Experience is not everything and should not be the decider when picking a team.