e-Everton Review: Everton vs Tottenham

The 2016/17 season began for Everton just as the past four seasons have, with a draw. This year the Toffees split the points with Tottenham. Ross Barkley’s 5’ free kick opened the scoring, but it was canceled out by an Erik Lamela equalizer in the 60’.

Article by Kevin Harris @huskertoffee94

The Toffees came out in a 5-4-1, Maarten Steklenburg got the start in goal, with Ramiro Funes Mori, Jagielka, and Mason Holgate as the three CB’s. James McCarthy and Leighton Baines were playing the position of right and left wing backs. Idrissa Geuye and Gareth Barry were playing in the middle of the park, while Kevin Mirallas and Ross Barkley were getting forward in attack and creating chances with Gerard Deulofeu who was the lone striker.

This game came in two parts. The first 55 minutes or so belonged all to the Toffees. They defended well, they were able to possess the ball in the midfield and they were able to get forward and have chances at goal. Mirallas was fouled outside of the box just 5 minutes into the match. Barkley stepped up and curled it over the wall to the far post and Hugo Lloris was caught flat footed in goal and it buried into the bottom corner. Deulofeu was the main attacker and made run after run down the line and into the box. He was able to come away with a couple of great chances, but was unable to finish any of them. He missed a one-on-one with the keeper just before the halftime break that would come back to haunt Everton.

The second part started at the 59’ mark. Walker sent a cross into the box that Lamela got a hold off and buried past Steklenburg to level the scores at one. From then on Spurs had Everton on their heels. They were the ones getting forward in attack and controlling the tempo. If not for great defense from the likes of Gueye, Funes Mori, and Mason Holgate, and also a couple of class saves from Steklenburg that denied Vincent Jaansen a debut goal and a Lamela brace, Tottenham would have grabbed all three points.

In the 70’ Deulofeu made way for Kone. This change took the air completely out of the Everton attack. Kone just was not getting forward with the pace of Deulofeu, and Barkley and Mirallas were gassed. Koeman’s men were playing a high press, fast paced game for the first part of the match, but they were noticeably tired by the end. Koeman had mentioned in his presser on Thursday that the squad was only at 70%. By the end both teams seemed to be settling for a draw as things started slowing down and other than a couple of easy saves, neither keeper was challenged.

Overall, this was a great first game for Everton under Ronald Koeman. Nobody really knew what to expect, but the team came out and played well. Barkley and Mirallas looked like their old selves. Deulofeu looked comfortable up top and if he can improve on his finishing ability then he can partner with Romelu Lukaku to forma deadly duo. Gueye made an excellent debut and was no question the Man of the Match. He stopped multiple attacks from starting and also was able to stop some dead in their tracks. He also looked very comfortable in having the ball at his feet and made good decisions in passing the ball. Barry was also a class act in the midfield, you would never know he was in his 20th season of top flight football. The defense was the most improved aspect of this Toffees team from the Martinez regime. They did an excellent job of marking their man and seemed to hardly find themselves out of position. Playing the three CB’s allows for the wing backs to get up in attack, while still having plenty of help at the back. Steklenburg did an outstanding job in his debut, he made his case to permanently have the job, barring the likes of a Joe Hart coming in before the window shuts. He knew when to come off his line and when to allow his defense to get the ball. This is a skill that was lacking for Howard and Robles last season.

Next the Toffees travel to West Bromwich Albion. This result will give them tons of confidence for their first match away from home. With signings rumored and Lukaku working on getting fit, the lineup is not set in stone and will likely change every week until the transfer window slams shut.

For Tottenham Hotspur, they will return to London and await London rival, Crystal Palace at White Hart Lane. They seem to be happy with their lineup the way it is. After matchday one, the question remains of how Dele Alli will handle his second Premier League season and if this young Tottenham team can handle the Champions League along with the Premier League strain.

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