Tim Howard was the hero as Tottenham Hotspur and Everton played out an entertaining 0-0 draw at White Hart Lane on Saturday evening.
The home side was the dominant force throughout the match, but Howard would ensure the Blues took a point back to Merseyside, pulling off a string of incredible saves.
The evening’s first real chance fell to Spurs marksman Harry Kane, who, after being kept onside by Everton left-back Bryan Oviedo and in acres of space, squandered his opportunity, seemingly with too much time to think about where he would place the ball.
Howard was to come to his side’s rescue again, twice denying efforts from makeshift attacking midfielder Ryan Mason either side of half time.
Everton struggled to test Hugo Lloris, with their best chance coming in the second half courtesy of Arouna Kone. A delightful cross from the left was met by the Ivorian, whose glancing header evaded the far post.
Both sides will have injury concerns to worry about, with Tom Cleverley succumbing to a nasty-looking ankle injury and Moussa Dembele suffering a problem of a similar kind, though in more innocuous circumstances.
Spurs remain winless after four games while Everton now sit on five points.
Everything but net
In anyone’s language, 19 shots on goal to seven represents a dominant performance. Spurs, however, could not make that dominance count, able to find almost everything except what mattered: the back of Howard’s net. Many of those opportunities were more than mere half-chances too. Kane had probably the best opening of the match, finding himself through on goal after being kept in line by Oviedo. The 22-year-old was presented with an abundance of space, but it seemed as though he had too much time to think about where he would place the ball. Howard’s save formed just one in a string of miraculous blocks that ultimately kept the scoresheet blank, but who knows, perhaps last season’s Kane would have buried that chance? He is still goalless so far this season.
Howard to the rescue
If it was not for the American custodian, Spurs could easily have won this game by three or four goals and could have had three points sewn up by half time. Tottenham were able to produce six shots on target, but Howard was equal to each one, pulling off six saves in a vintage performance. A sub-standard 2014-15 season saw calls for the 36-year-old to be dropped an new blood installed between the sticks and indeed, a costly error against Manchester City the previous week allowed Aleksandar Kolarov to give the Citizens the lead. Outings like the one Howard enjoyed at White Hart Lane, however, mean he will continue to be a regular fixture in goal for the Toffees.
Mason steps into Eriksen void
And the young Englishman did a reasonable job in the vacant number 10 post. As the Dane remained sidelined with injury, Mason pushed forward with Nabil Bentaleb and Eric Dier partnering in defensive midfield. Concerns were rife about a potential lack of creativity from the Lilywhites, especially after Erik Lamela failed to produce the goods against Leicester last time out, but Mason was able to come up with moments of quality for Spurs. His creative spark was not quite to the calibre of Eriksen, though it should not have been expected to be. Mason forced Howard into two excellent saves from close-range and passed with a maestro-like success rate of 88%. Son Heung-min’s arrival should mean Mason can drop back to his natural number six role, but nevertheless, Mauricio Pochettino has given himself another option should the creative options dry up.
Cleverley struck down by ankle injury
An unfortunate negative to emerge from the match was the serious-looking ankle injury sustained by Cleverley; immediate but unconfirmed reports suggest the player may have damaged ankle ligaments, indicating a lengthy spell on the sidelines. The ex-Manchester United man left the pitch on a stretcher after being brought down by an Eric Dier tackle (it must be stressed that Dier won the ball and the tackle was fair – what happened next was luckless). Regardless of allegiances, no one enjoys seeing players get struck down by such a horrendous injury. One can only hope Cleverley’s injury is not as bad as it looked. The 26-year-old had begun making a mark on his new club after a hugely successful first three matches in an Everton shirt.
Roberto Martinez has told Sky that Cleverly’s injury is definitely a serious one.
— Royal Blue Mersey (@RBMersey) August 29, 2015
Everton’s John Stones
What transfer saga? John Stones appeared unaffected by the seemingly endless rumours linking his name with a big-money switch to Chelsea, even after his formal transfer request was rejected by Everton. The 21-year-old showed the cool head and poise spectators have come to expect from him, making five clearances, winning 67% of his attempted aerial duels and distributing at 84% – that is despite he and Phil Jagielka being under pressure for much of the 90 minutes. If he really does want to leave, you would not know it. Perhaps a future in poker beckons?
Martinez: “I heard a great song about John Stones that our fans were singing. I was ready to join in.” #TOTvEFC
— Everton (@Everton) August 29, 2015
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