Match Report: Everton 1 Spurs 1 (same old, same old!)

Match Report: Everton 1 Spurs 1 (same old, same old!)

In my match preview (which ended up not being published because of computer problems), I wrote, "Same old, Same old or a new beginning?" It turned out Conte was back in the guise of protégé Christian Stellini… and why wouldn't he be… he has been working under the tuition of the Italian for years. He (including Mason) obviously couldn't break away from that mind lock (maybe Conte gave them a mind meld, and they are linked like Siamese twins; a Vulcan Conte, it doesn't bear worth thinking about). Anyway…

…you could feel that Everton would equalise when Kane scored from the penalty spot, as the team went into the usual defensive mode. Then Moura wanted to create an equal playing field for our opponents by getting himself sent off with a reckless challenge. I joked after the game… I thought we could have nicked it if Everton had another two players sent off… obviously one less Evertonian didn't make a difference.

We will have to wait until the end of the season before we find out who will manage us. Until then, the fiasco continues. Next up will be Brighton, and they are doing well. Everton were near the bottom, and Brighton are sixth (you do the maths)… If we can't beat a struggler, what chance have we got against a good team challenging us for the fourth spot or a Europa/ Conference League place?

Mel picked me up at 12 noon, then travelled to Everton (2 and a half hour's drive). Parked right next to the ground (luckily for me, as I had left my walking stick at home). We then walked around the ground and chatted with the Spurs Stewards. It is always nice to meet them at away games. You feel more comfortable when your Spurs stewards are with you. They do a brilliant job.

After we walked around the ground, we went in. I Sat with Mel until it was time to find my seat… luckily I saw some empty seats near the front, so I went there. There are always spare seats at away games… more so if we are doing badly.

The game…

To cut a long story short, Michael Keane scored an expected goal in the 90th minute to salvage a draw. Defender Keane stepped up from the back to drive into the top corner. The point taking Everton out of the relegation zone.

Before they equalised, Harry Kane gave us the lead in the second half from the penalty spot after Keane had fouled Cristian Romero in the area.

The most exciting part of the game was when Everton's Abdoulaye Doucoure was given a deserved straight red card after pushing Kane in the face, knocking him to the ground.

Kane's goal never looked like giving Cristian Stellini a winning start as interim manager. It was just like Conte was back in charge.

The crowd continuously sank, "Levy/ Enic out".

Then to top everything off,  substitute Lucas Moura was also sent off for a challenge on Keane. However, that challenge didn't stop him from equalising and sparking pandemonium at Goodison Park.

After the game, we all left with our heads hanging down, but not really surprised.

The points…

The point lifts Everton three places up to 15th while we climb to fourth on goal difference, albeit having played two more games than Manchester United in fifth. Brighton are in sixth, on 43 points, but with two games in hand. It doesn't look good for us.

We still have to play Newcastle, Manchester and Brighton… hopefully we can narrow the lead… but you know what they say about  "hope"? "Hope is the one thing that can help us get through the darkest of times. If you're going through a difficult time or need some inspiration to help guide you in your next phase of life." Really… we will be waiting a long time for hope… at least while Levy is in charge.

Thoughts…

This was a characterless contest for the best part of an hour as both sides struggled to create clear-cut opportunities in the final third. Kane was at the thick of the action when he challenged Demarai Gray on the halfway line, an incident to which Doucoure took Umbridge. Pushes were exchanged before Doucoure put his hand into the face of Kane, who went tumbling to the turf, and referee David Coote brandished a straight red. However, that didn't stop Kane from getting a yellow card as well…

… ten minutes later, Kane scored from the penalty spot, sending Jordan Pickford the wrong way to register his 15th league goal against Everton.

Kane could have netted in the opening period but was blocked on the line by Keane, while he also sent a free header wide.

Son was jeered throughout for inflicting a serious ankle injury on Andre Gomes here four years ago; he had the best opportunity in the first half but shot straight at Pickford.

The result takes us into the Champions League places with nine games to play, but we have now failed to win our last six games away from home.

This was an important game for Everton after seeing fellow strugglers West Ham and Bournemouth win at the weekend, and Nottingham Forest claimed a point.

Over the weekend, City thrashed Liverpool (4-1), while Arsenic beat Leeds United with the same score. Chelski and Leicester were defeated and lost their managers in the process… making one of them favourites to become our next manager. While – I believe – Chelski sacked Graham-Harry Potter so they could get Julian Nagelsmann. I imagine he will go to Chelski as I can't see him working under Levy (nobody comes out good working for Levy/ ENIC). And Julian Nagelsmann will have money to spend, while if he went to Tottenham, he would have to deal with Levy's penny-pinching; Levy won't compete with the likes of Chelski, City, Arsenic, Liverpool, United, Newcastle and any other club with ambitions for Glory, unless Levy can do it on the cheap… then we are in with a shout!

Next up… Brighton…

COYS

Glenn