Spurs' dominant aerial ability guided by Thomas Frank brought Everton plummeting down to reality at their new ground. The visitors handed Everton's first defeat at their new home thanks to three headed goals, two from the excellent Micky van de Ven, to climb to third in the Premier League and continue their strong form on the road.
Set-Piece Dominance Seals Victory
The disconnect at the home ground is sharply different to the ruthless efficiency of Frank’s team on their travels. The Dutch defender converted a pair of set-pieces before replacement the Senegalese midfielder ended any prospect of an comeback with a further close-range header in the 89th minute. Considering the obvious lack of a quality striker in the Everton squad, the prospect of an fightback was unlikely even with the efforts of their creative players. It is now 13 points collected from a possible 15 for Tottenham on their travels so far this campaign.
Match Highlights
The contest was shaped by set-pieces and the defender's domineering presence at each end of the field. Everton matched Tottenham for enterprising approach work but had no answer to the quality of the away team's dead-ball crosses or their captain’s aerial strength. The boos that met the half-time whistle were aimed squarely at referee Craig Pawson, however.
Grealish almost picked up where he stopped last time out at Hill Dickinson Stadium by putting Everton ahead from close range. Excellent Iliman Ndiaye raced past the full-back to create a chance for Beto but, after the unfortunate forward missed the ball, Jack Grealish appeared at the back post and saw a shot on target blocked in front of the line by Pedro Porro. Dewsbury-Hall sliced the loose ball over the bar.
The midfield duo both troubled the Everton defence as an end-to-end game allowed the engine rooms to shine. But it was a central defender who took centre stage. From a the winger's corner swept loftedly to the back post, the Uruguayan guided the ball into the mixer with his upper body for the defender to head home from a yard out.
It was the first goal the team have conceded from a set piece all season and Tottenham's first attempt on target. It became a second from a corner in added time when the away side's precision under Frank hurt Everton again. Pedro Porro was the provider, now from the left with a excellent, dangerous corner that demanded a finish. Van de Ven applied it once the inswinging delivery sailed over the centre-half and before Jordan Pickford’s fists could reach it. His first-half double must have come from a combined distance of two yards out.
Controversial Call and Late Strike
Tottenham's second came during seven minutes of stoppage time mostly for the ruling to disallow a powerful nod by Jake O’Brien moments after the first goal. The Everton defender believed he'd scored from a well-taken set-piece, taken by Dewsbury-Hall, and a header that gave Guglielmo Vicario no chance in the Tottenham net. Everton celebrations were diluted when the VAR instructed the referee to inspect the screen.
They were spoiled completely when the match official deemed that Ndiaye and Grealish were both in an offside position and impeding the goalkeeper. Both players were obviously in an illegal spot when O’Brien connected but the extent to which they affected the shot-stopper was highly debatable. The official's reasoning was inaudible amid the jeers that overwhelmed him.
The home side reacted positively to the setbacks, especially after the second half began. Beto, who missed an excellent delivery along the six-yard box from the attacker in the first half, nearly made amends with an overhead kick from the Senegal international’s cross. Vicario produced an excellent reflex save to prevent the No 9. Spurs’ commitment to a clean sheet was exemplified by João Palhinha throwing himself in the way of the midfielder's volley in the latter stages. Richarlison could have increased the visitors’ lead when a lobbed pass beat the defender and left him one-on-one, but the England keeper spread himself well to thwart the former Everton striker.
He was heavily involved in Spurs’ third strike, though, directing a nod from another accurate Porro centre back across goal for Sarr to head beyond Pickford.
