Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Everton – Michael Keane’s unfortunate first half own goal separates the two sides in a rather dull affair at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with both teams producing a low quality encounter.
First half:
It was the hosts Tottenham Hotspur who came the closest to scoring in the early stages of the match when winger Lucas Moura’s strike didn’t miss Jordan Pickford’s post by much as the Brazilian wingers wait for a Premier League goal in 2020 continued for the time being.
Tottenham Hotspur did open the scoring in the 24th minute of the match when midfielder Giovani Lo Celso turned and shot inside the box and despite the Argentinian’s shot that looked to be going wide it was inadvertently deflected in to his own net by Toffees defender Michael Keane as Spurs opened the scoring in a game that certainly felt like it needed a goal to spark in to life.
The closest Everton came to a first half goal was just before half time when Richarlison found space to turn and shoot, however, the Brazilian shot just wide of the post as Everton would go in to the half time break trailing 1-0 after a rather toothless first half display from the Toffees who would be hoping for a much better second half performance.
Half time
The second half was played out in a similar way to the first as the tempo of the game continued to be rather slow with both sides far from their best, but it was Tottenham Hotspur who had the first big chance of the half when winger Son Heung-Min broke in behind the Everton defence but the South Korean would see his low shot saved by goalkeeper Jordan Pickford who kept the score at only 1-0 for now.
It was Son Heung-Min who once again came close for Spurs just a few minutes later when the Tottenham winger cut inside on his right foot and fired a shot wide of the Everton post as Tottenham Hotspur’s search for a second and a killer goal inthe game continued.
Spurs would go on to have one more chance to add a second goal and seal the 3 points when which was once again an opportunity for Son Heung-Min this time on his left foot however, the South Korean once again saw his shot parried away by Jordan Pickford. Despite failing to make the most of some second half chances it was Tottenham Hotspur who held on for a 1-0 win to get all 3 points against a toothless Everton team who hardly laid a glove on Tottenham Hotspur throughout the 90 minutes. This was far from a classic encounter but an important 3 points for the North London side Tottenham Hotspur who get back on track after their loss to Sheffield United.
Full time
Man of the match:
Giovani Lo Celso – In a game of few standouts it was Tottenham’s Argentine midfielder who was the brightest spark on the pitch with a promising performance being one of his best in a Spurs shirt to date, and it was also Lo Celso who had the effort which deflected in off Michael Keane for the only goal of the game.
Fascinating facts:
Everton now haven’t won away at Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League in their last 11 attempts, a run that stretches all the way back to November 2008.
This was the first own goal of Michael Keane’s Premier League career.
Tottenham Hotspur have now kept back to back Premier League clean sheets at home for the first time this season.
Everton haven’t won a Premier League away game against any team that is currently above them in the Premier League table.
This is the first time that Harry Kane has failed to score against Everton in 5 Premier League appearances against the Toffees.
Jordan Pickford continues his record of never keeping a clean sheet for Everton against Tottenham Hotspur.
Talking points:
Everton poor record away at the traditional big 6 continues, is this down to a poor mentality? Everton haven’t won a Premier League game away at any of the traditional big 6 teams (Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur) since December 2013 when they won 0-1 at Old Trafford against Manchester United, and that run showed no signs of ending in a toothless display from the Toffees away at Tottenham Hotspur, why is the Toffees mentality so poor away at the big teams, even under a manager who has won everything in Carlo Ancelotti?
An unconvincing performance from Tottenham Hotspur but a win nonetheless as they stay in contention for a place in Europe next season – This was far from a convincing performance from Tottenham Hotspur, however, it was a game they probably just about did enough to win against a very below par Everton side as Spurs still remain with a fighting chance of getting a place in Europe next season as they are now just a point behind North London rivals Arsenal in 7th.
Son Heung-Min and Hugo Lloris scrap just after the half time whistle – In a rather bizarre half time incident, Tottenham Hotspur team mates Hugo Lloris and Heung Min-Son had to be separated as the two men were involved in a heated war of words for unknown reasons despite the fact Tottenham Hotspur were leading, the two men were not happy with one another.
Are these the toughest job both Carlo Ancelotti and Jose Mourinho have ever taken on? Both Carlo Ancelotti and Jose Mourinho have been hugely successful managers throughout their careers, however, both managers are currently taking on unfamiliar jobs where they have to build mid-table teams up to the top and at this stage of both Ancelotti and Mourniho’s careers this could be the hardest jobs they have ever had.
Both managers with big transfer windows ahead for their respective clubs – Tottenham Hotspur and Everton came in to this fixture both 10th and 11th respectively and those are positions where neither of these clubs would want to be at this stage of the Premier League season and judging by the performance of both teams, it will take a huge transfers window in the summer to improve things at both clubs.
Unfortunate own goal separates the two teams on the day – In a game that was extremely low on quality it seemed pretty fitting that it was a scrappy own goal that separated the two teams with Michael Keane being the unfortunate player.
Sam’s match reports 