19 January 2025
Everton 3 Tottenham 2
David Moyes was looking to get his first win as Everton manager as they welcomed Tottenham to Goodison Park. It seemed the perfect fixture with Ange Postecoglou’s side struggling to find form and consistency this campaign, shipping goals at an alarming rate with it. The Toffees have been struggling for goals themselves, so it seemed something would have to give in this one.
The hosts started in tenacious fashion, closing down Spurs and giving them no time on the ball. As a result, The Toffees won the ball deep in Tottenham territory. Lindstrom picked it up and looked to test Kinsky with a swerving shot from some distance. Fortunately for the visitors their keeper was equal to it and made a full-stretch save to send it wide of the target.
Calvert-Lewin had been on a goalscoring drought that had spanned some sixteen games. However, this Tottenham defence were making him look like Bergkamp as he weaved in and out of three defenders before pulling the trigger. His shot to the near post left Kinsky flat-footed and The Toffees took an early lead at Goodison Park.
Postecoglou must really be feeling the pressure right now. But as an outsider looking in, you wonder what manager could stoke this squad into any sort of form. Nothing seems to be going right for them right now and there seems to be a lack of basic tactics and structure to them. The owners have not shown any patience with previous managers and you wonder if time is running out for the Australian.
Mourinho, Conte and Pochettino all tried and failed in North London. So it does not seem to be the calibre of coach that is the problem, there is something underlying that appears to be the issue. It is like Levy upset some gypsies and they decided to put a curse on the club that is still working its magic to this day. It is the Tottenham fans you have to feel for in this situation.
The visitors should have been on level terms when Kulusevski broke free down the right wing. He held the ball up and laid it into the path of Son, who was completely unmarked in the box. He scuffed his shot towards the corner of the goal but it was a simple save for Pickford. The South Korean striker held his head in his hands, knowing what a glaring miss this was.
Moyes’ side continued to press and they almost doubled their lead when Mangala got a strike off at goal. A fingertip save from Kinsky was enough to turn the effort onto the post. Everton recycled it and got a cross into the box but Calvert-Lewin’s header was straight at the Tottenham keeper. The hosts were growing in confidence.
Gueye then threaded a pass through for Ndiaye, He twisted and turned as he had Dragusin in all sorts of problems before rifling his shot into the roof of the net to give the hosts a two-goal cushion. Goodison Park was bouncing and even Peter Reid, who seemed to think it was some sort of Doctor Who fancy dress day, seemed to be enjoying himself.
Deep into added time, Lindstrom put a deep cross into the box. Tarkowski headed it back across goal and Gray put the ball into his own net. It was the perfect metaphor for yet another shocking defensive performance from Spurs. The fans who had made the trip up north from the capital were contemplating their life choices at this point.
One thing we have seen a lot of since he joined Spurs, Kinsky is not good with the ball at his feet. He gifted the ball to Ndiaye with a loose pass, who immediately found Lindstrom out wide. The Dane then showed good vision finding Calvert-Lewin in the box. He turned onto his left foot but sent his shot wide of the far post. The Everton striker really should have put this game to bed.
Spurs countered and Son slotted a superb pass into the path of Maddison. He teased Pickford out wide before trying to find Moore in the box. It was half-cleared but fell to Kulusevski who dinked the ball over the Everton defenders and into the back of the net to give the visitors a lifeline with just over ten minutes of normal time remaining.
Moore made a huge impact on this game after coming off the bench. He clipped a cross into the back post for Richarlison to slide in to score against his old club. It all seemed too little, too late for Postecoglou’s side but there was an air of nervousness in Goodison Park. They had been here before when Bournemouth scored three late goals to turn the game on its head.
The Toffees managed to hold on for victory on this occasion to secure a huge three points. It moved them four points clear of the bottom three. Tottenham dropped to fifteenth in the Premier League table and Postecoglou must feel like a dead man walking. Although gauging the feeling with their fans, they seem to want Levy out more than they do their manager.
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