To say that Everton stuttered in their first game of the season would be an understatement. A 3-0 humbling at the hands of Brighton had Goodison Park almost empty at the end of the match. Disillusioned Evertonians wanted better but received nothing other than Mason Holgate coming on when the side needed a goal.
Spurs had high hopes as they started at home against Leicester and the first half went to script but a goal by Jamie Vardy forced Spurs to share the points. Their disappointment was compounded when Dominic Solanke and Rodrigo Bentancur picked up injuries.
Team News
The big change came at right back. With senior options including Seamus Coleman, Nathan Patterson and James Garner injured, and with Ashley Young suspended after his red card while playing right back against Brighton and Hove Albion last week, Roman Dixon was given his Everton debut. The inclusion of Dixon was the only change in the starting lineup from last week. James Tarkowski made his 77th consecutive start after an injury scare that threatened to stop the streak.
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglu gave a start for new signing Wilson Odobert ahead of Richarlison who was on the bench. Yves Bissouma had come straight back into the side after missing the opening match for a discipline breach......cue the laughing gas jokes!
Match Review
The match kicked off with Everton in their new away strip as Anthony Taylor blew his whistle. The rain was pouring down as Son kicked off and it was Tottenham who applied the early pressure. A fine early save by Pickford from point blank range should have been a goal.
Everton were unable to get on the ball and a nice move by Odebert forced a corner which was taken short. The resulting shot from Son was deflected off McNeil but Pickford was up to it. It took almost 9 minutes but Everton finally got the ball into the offensive zone with Iroegbunam’s effort being blocked.
A lovely ball over the top to Maddison had the former England midfielder one on one and again Pickford was standing tall. Seconds later, Maddison was delivering the ball and Johnson’s header was just wide of the post. Spurs were swarming and Everton were hanging on.
The pressure paid off when Kulusevski took the ball across the edge of the box and laid it off nicely for Yves Bissouma who blasted the ball off the underside of the bar and into the back of the net.
A quick ball over the top to Calvert Lewin was brought down but the ball was cleared for a corner. The Tarkowski head back led to a scramble but no one could get it in and seconds later a nice cross from McNeil was met by Harrison who could not keep the shot on net. Everton were seeing more of the ball.
Jordan Pickford was the first to apologize when Tarkowski passed the ball back and his first touch was awful as Son was bearing down and he was easily able to knick the ball off the keeper and roll the ball into the open net. The England number one was exposed and he took the blame for his error.
Half an hour gone and two down. Dyche was standing on the sideline talking to Ian Woan with his mouth covered. Would love to know what he was saying. Tottenham had started the match with 90% possession and that had dropped to 80%.
Dwight McNeil got wide and open and his ball was delivered nicely into Calvert Lewin but his header was ineffective. As the half faded away, McNeil delivered a ball to the back post and Tarkowski was on the end of it but there was no one to put it in. Two more corners saw Tottenham scrambling to keep the ball out including a chance from Doucoure. As three minutes of added time was announced,
Spurs had a late corner which was passed out to a wide open Pedro Porro who shot the ball narrowly wide of the far post. The half ended and Jordan Pickford continued to apologize to his team for his error. Everton ended the half with 8 shots and zero on target. The last ten minutes showed some promise but they needed to be more clinical in their finishing.
No changes at half time for either side. Tottenham were quickly on the ball. Dominic Calvert Lewin was the most isolated player on the pitch and was crying for help. The game was going at a walking pace and even Sean Dyche saw the need for a change. Lindstrom and Ndiaye were brought on for Harrison and Doucoure.
It only took seconds before McNeil drove forward and the ball ended up on Lindstrom’s foot who forced a save from Vicario. A first shot on net. Everton were growing in confidence and were trying to get the ball moving around.
Spurs made their first change with Odobert and Kulusevski being withdrawn with Sarr and Richarlison coming on. A free kick on the edge of the box for Tottenham from Maddison was the first order of business after the changes and his shot was narrowly wide of the far post.
The match was all but done when Maddison’s corner was met by Christian Romero who headed the ball off the bar and into the net. With fifteen minutes left the game was well out of sight.
Calvert Lewin was withdrawn for Beto but it was Micky van de Ven racing down the pitch and laying the ball off for Son who slid the ball under a sprawling Pickford. 4-0!
Michael Keane was on the ground after Pedro Porro clipped him with his elbow on Keane’s nose which needed attention as blood streamed down his face. VAR determined it was accidental contact, although his elbow was very high.
Incredibly, Harrison Armstrong was prepared to enter the fray. He replaced Gana Gueye to make his Everton debut for the five minutes of additional time. He was immediately in the thick of it when his cross was wildly cleared by Romero.
The match ebbed and flowed by Everton had nothing to show for their efforts as Tottenham controlled the play. Tottenham have won 23 of the last 24 encounters.....Enough said.
Man of the Match: - Dwight McNeil
The Everton midfielder had a far better match than last week. He was more involved and was willing to get the ball forward. His delivery from corners was excellent and should have been rewarded. With a very isolated Calvert Lewin in front of him for most of the match, it was nice to see McNeil have someone to pass to after the changes and let’s hope he gets more time to work with the new signings.
Instant Reaction
An uncomfortable afternoon for Sean Dyche who did not make any real changes to address the poor first match of the season. Today was worse. Another heavy loss and only 8 shots on target in two matches. The only thing that would have been worse is if Richarlison scored against us.
The inclusion of Roman Dixon in the starting lineup may have been forced but the choice certainly went against Sean Dyche’s mantra of wanting ‘experience’ in his starting lineup. Mason Holgate had finished the match last week after Young’s red card and his inclusion today would have been the logical switch. How will Jake O’Brien, Jesper Lindstrom or Iliman Ndiaye react? Perhaps there will be some hope that their chance will also come sooner. What has to be said is that Dixon had a solid match keeping Odebert in check and MUST keep his place and the team looked more of a threat going forward with Ndiaye and Lindstrom on the pitch.
Sean Dyche continues to put his faith in Abdoulaye Doucoure. His performance last week left plenty to be desired. He lost possession 8 times and was offside four times, one which negated an Everton goal. Today, they were down by two at half time and Dyche made no changes. Interestingly, Everton have never come from behind to win a Premier League match under Sean Dyche and perhaps someone should tell the manager so that he changes how he deals with this fact. Earlier changes to get back in the match might be an idea. It gives us an attacking chance and it gives the players who are “inexperienced” to get some experience.
Jordan Pickford has been Everton’s best player for several years. Today was not one of his best days. In fact, the horrendous error on the second goal and not attacking the corner of the third have to be chalked up to Pickford. Back on the bike next week for the England number one.