Everton and Tottenham Hotspur have played out a gripping 1-1 draw at Goodison Park on Sunday.
Both sides proved to be good value for a point in a duel that ebbed and flowed, ultimately finishing deadlocked thanks to superb goals from Aaron Lennon and Dele Alli.
Spurs enjoyed the first meaningful chance of the day. Harry Kane’s long-range drive from the right-hand side clattered off the base of the post and flew across the goal-line, ultimately evading much of the danger.
That effort marked an opening period that was dominated by the visitors but their industry was fruitless. Romelu Lukaku controlled and chested down a long-ball, with it perfectly weighted into the path of Lennon. The ex-Spur excellently half-volleyed a composed effort into the far corner, beyond the reach of the outstretched Hugo Lloris.
Everton again rode their share of luck seven minutes later as Tottenham left-back Ben Davies thundered a stinging drive onto the crossbar.
The Londoners’ next chance would garner the results their first half deserved. Toby Alderweireld’s long ball found Alli, who managed to get goal-side of Seamus Coleman. He brilliantly brought the ball down and calmly slotted past Tim Howard.
Everton dragged themselves back into proceedings in the second half with the play evening out. Substitute Muhamed Besic came closest to finding the net with an exquisite volley from the top of the area that was met with an equally magnificent save from Lloris.
From that point, it was the hosts who looked likeliest to find a winner, but neither side could breach each other’s goal.
Spurs go into the international break sitting pretty in fourth place, while Everton stay in 11th with some work to do upon the league’s resumption.
Formations
Roberto Martinez made three changes to the team that was defeated by Stoke, with one forced. James McCarthy was sidelined with a leg injury, so Tom Cleverley stepped into midfield alongside enforcer Gareth Barry. Lennon was preferred to Gerard Deulofeu while Leighton Baines regained his spot at left-back in favour of Brendan Galloway in Everton’s usual 4-2-3-1.
Mauricio Pochettino also made a trio of changes to his team. Kieran Trippier and Danny Rose both dropped out as well as the injured Moussa Dembele, with Ben Davies, Christian Eriksen and Kyle Walker drafted in. Spurs shifted back to a 4-2-3-1 after structuring up in something of a 3-4-3 against Watford last time out.
Alli here, Alli there, Alli everywhere
The teenager is fast becoming the fulcrum of the Tottenham team, with his performance at Goodison drawing the praise of Jamie Carracgher, who believes Alli has surpassed Everton counterpart Ross Barkley.
His performance was due plaudits; it was excellent. The MK Dons product dominated midfield, roaming between the lines from flank to flank, crafting three opportunities and distributing at an 82% success rate.
Starting at number 10, Alli constantly found himself in threatening areas, a craft the young creator is quickly mastering.
His most notable contribution was of course his goal; Alli made an excellent run from the left side of the field, latching onto Alderweireld’s ball after finding himself on the inside of Everton right-back Coleman. His collection of the ball and finish were just as intelligent, and he continued to make threatening runs after the interval until his substitution.
Battle of the Belgians
A key contest that was crucial in the outcome of the match was the one that occurred between Belgian team mates Jan Vertonghen and Romelu Lukaku; the former a mainstay in the league’s best defence and the former the leading goalscorer in the Premier League.
It was a fascinating battle. Lukaku notched up a classy assist for Lennon’s equally classy finish, but it has to be said that Vertonghen can claim bragging rights, keeping Lukaku to just one shot off target.
That shot came in the match’s dying embers, and even then, Vertonghen was well positioned to ensure Lukaku had a tight angle to work with on his lethal left boot.
Vertonghen was involved in six aerial duels; funnily enough, all of which were against Lukaku. He was victorious in 80% of those.
Deulofeu injection gives Everton new life
The Toffees were firmly second-best in the opening stanza, confined to counter-attacking football with Spurs peppering Howard’s goal.
So it was little surprise to see under-pressure Martinez pull the trigger early and introduce Deulofeu instead of goalscorer Lennon, whose influence had begun to fade by the hour-mark.
The presence of the Spanish wiz gave Everton the spark fans have become used to, hugging the touchline and always looking to make those runs toward the byline with trademark stepovers.
His efforts including a delightfully lifted cross from the right of the penalty box that only just evaded the head of Lukaku.
With Deulofeu on the pitch in the dying stages, the toffees looked likelier to snatch all three points than their opponents, particularly with the Deulofeu/Lukaku tag-team running at the Spurs defence.
Everton Conclusion
Roberto Martinez can take plenty of positives out of this result. Everton have often proven to be wasteful in front of goal, but on this occasion they made their chance count against the league’s meanest defence. More importantly, however, was that their performance was much tighter defensively. Ramiro Funes Mori’s performance appeared nervy, but he nor the team were punished for any silly errors which were few and far between.
Tottenham Hotspur Conclusion
Spurs can count themselves unlucky not to have claimed all three points after two meticulous long-range drives from Kane and Davies respectively rattled the frame of the Gwladys Street goal. Their performance was, on the whole, impressive, and Pochettino can look forward to build on fourth place when the league resumes from the international recess.
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