It was a real Everton struggle as Jose Mourinho and Tottenham Hotspur bounced back from the disappointing defeat to Sheffield United.
Everton Struggle in Lacklustre Game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
A Good Time to Play Spurs Wasted By Everton
With both teams needing to win to keep fading dreams of European football for next season a reality, this was a tepid affair. Everton were pleased to have Richarlison passed fit, whilst Spurs were missing the injured Dele Alli. Harry Winks came in for Steven Bergwijn with Toby Alderweireld replacing Davinson Sanchez at centre-back.
It was Richarlison that Spurs focused on with some niggling challenges from Eric Dier, Giovanni Lo Celso and Ben Davies.
Everton set up deep and were happy to watch Spurs play out from the back. The visitors’ lack of ambition was clear, with Tottenham having seven attempts to their one in the first 45 minutes.
When the goal came, it was scrappy. Son Heung-min and Harry Kane had stabs at it before Lo Celso turned and hit the ball. It was going wide but Micheal Keane deflected the ball past the stranded Jordan Pickford.
Neither Team Showing Signs of Progress
The return to football should have re-energised players. If it has, nobody has let these two teams know. For Tottenham, the result was always going to be the most important thing. If anyone was expecting a response of high energy and passion from Jose Mourinho’s men then they were disappointed. Tottenham were better than they were against Sheffield United but Everton here were as bad as Spurs were that day.
Carlo Ancelotti will be concerned at the lack of imagination from his players in this game.
Both teams can still get a European place. On those performances, neither look too likely of achieving it but with three points and five matches remaining, Tottenham Hotspur are clinging on.
As for next season – both teams need to make changes. On this evidence, they are two huge clubs miles away from success.
Main Photo
