Football

Match Report: Everton 2 – Tottenham 2

Published

4 weeks ago

24th October 2024

Match Report: Everton 2 – Tottenham 2

It was a big fixture for both teams to keep their hopes alive for European qualification. Mourinho opted for a back 3 and made three changes from their last game- Sissoko and Alderweireld came in for Lo Celso and Lucas Moura. Pickford and Allan returned from injury to start for Everton and Iwobi also got the nod. Despite a few returns, Everton’s bench was hugely depleted because of injuries.

Everton dominated the first half as they saw most of the ball and created better chances. The home side pressed Spurs high up the pitch, forcing them into mistakes, hardly allowing their opponents to get out of their own half. However, it was Spurs who got the first goal as they scored from their only attempt on target in the first half.

Ndombele’s pinpoint cross was brought down by Kane with a brilliant first touch, the England skipper fired it in the far post giving Pickford no chance. Everton center-backs allowed too much space and time to Kane.

Everton didn’t let the goal slow down their momentum and struck back within 4 minutes after conceding in the 27th minute. James Rodriguez won a penalty from Reguilon’s challenge as he was brought down posing to line up a shot from Sigurdsson’s cut back. Sigurosson converted from the spot with an excellent penalty tucked in the bottom corner.

Everton could have scored more goals in the first 45 but Lloris made two amazing saves; first, denying Richarlison in the first real opening of the game and later stopping James from scoring after he played an amazing give and go with Sigurdsson to find space for a shot.

Premier League goal number ??? for @HKane.

? Seventh in the list of all-time @premierleague goalscorers. #THFC ⚪️ #COYS pic.twitter.com/wbIjejOwGq

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) April 17, 2021

Spurs started the second half better with a spell of sustained possession and saw a couple of chances in the first 10 minutes. Son forced a save from Pickford after dribbling past Keane, Alderweireld hit the outside of the post from a Son corner.

Coleman replaced Iwobi at the hour mark and set up the second Everton goal right after coming on; he played a one-two with Richarlison to get in behind before picking Sigurdsson in the box, who directed it to the back of the net with an excellent composed finish.

Mourinho made a double substitution in the 63rd minute- with Lamela and Reguilon coming on for Ndombele and Reguilon.

Another mistake in the back presented Kane his second of the game and 21st of the campaign as Spurs equalized in the 68th minute. Miscommunication between Keane and Holgate led to Keane heading it to Holgate’s back and ultimately to Kane, who volleyed it in with amazing technique, again being given too much space and time. 3 minutes later, Kane clipped the outside of the post from a swirling header.

Joshua King came in for Davies in the 82nd minute and saw his shot stopped by Lloris 2 minutes later, the rebound fell to Richarlison who rushed his shot over the bar, it was a golden chance to get the winner as Lloris was still recovering from the save.

Harry Kane went off injured in the closing minutes, it could be a big blow for Spurs in their race for Europe and EFL cup final next week.

Everton were by far the better team on the night but defensive mistakes cost them 2 precious points at home. Sigurdsson summed it up well in his post-match comments, “It feels like we dropped two points from the chances we had and the goals we conceded.” The result doesn’t help either team in their race for Europe as Spurs and Everton are now 5 and 6 points behind the 4th placed West Ham respectively. However, Everton still have a game in hand.

FT. It ends all square at Goodison.

? 2-2 ⚪️ #EVETOT pic.twitter.com/BJfZQmzBWi

— Everton (@Everton) April 16, 2021

Top Performers

James Rodriguez- The Colombian was paired up front with Richarlison and while his partner made runs in behind he popped up in all sorts of spaces to pick up the ball and create openings. His link-up play proved very good and he made some dangerous set-piece deliveries. He was in the heart of most of the Everton attacks and did well to draw the foul to win a penalty.

Gylfi Sigurðsson- The Icelandic midfielder showed his calmness and composure, mirrored through his two goals. Featuring in the left midfield position, he was also heavily involved in attacks, linking up with Richarlison and James, creating an abundance of chances.