Match Report (Everton) & Preview (Newcastle)

 

Match Report (Everton) & Preview (Newcastle)

Although the Leicester draw was disappointing, I saw plenty of hope for the future. The Everton game reinforced these observations, hopefully culminating in trophies and glories this season. I know we’ve been saying this every year since Levy took over, but this time it feels different.

In the first half of the Leicester game, we could have been five or six up. In the second half, we lost concentration but picked it up near the end; by then, Leicester had managed to draw the game. Lessons to be learnt.

By the time the Everton game came along, Ange seemed to have ironed out the lacklustre areas into a more robust working machine. Granted, Everton were poor, and we still should have put away certain shots, but overall, I thought it was a better 90-minute display.

With the squad we’ve got, the future looks bright. The next two games (Newcastle and the Gooners) will give us a better overall view.

As for the Everton game, Son scored twice as we comfortably brushed aside an uninspiring Everton side to notch up our first Premier League win of the season.

Like the Leicester game, we targeted the Everton goal straight from kick-off and our robustness was rewarded.

But the goal that started it all off was a move from the edge of the box that culminated in Dejan Kulusevski cutting inside to line up Yves Bissouma, whose brilliant shot struck the underside of the crossbar on its way into the net. In the Leicester game, Bissourma was banned, so Ange joked that maybe he should ban him for the next game if it will create shots like the opening one against the Toffees.

Next up: Pickford and Son double act. The England goalkeeper was punished for dillydallying on the ball shortly afterwards when Son stole it off Batman’s nemesis, the Joker, and slotted it into a vacant goal mouth. We all laughed and cheered while Pickford picked his jaw off the ground, but sadly, as he went to attach it back – calamity struck again – and he dropped it, to the merriment of the Spurs crowd and horror to the Everton throng. Sadly, for Pickford, it wasn’t the end of his horror show.

Cristian Romero headed in our third from a corner after the break when he outsmarted James Tarkowski and Michael Keane to head in James Maddison's pinpoint shot—another goal the England clown had to pick out of his net. Still, our enjoyment and laughter weren’t over yet.

Back to our in-form Son. Yes, he, the golden boy of our squad—the man who stated he wants to be a Spurs hero—put the gloss on the result 13 minutes from time with a low-angled finish through Pickford's legs after Micky van de Ven's enterprising run from one penalty box to the other.

I would say Pickford had to lift his legs off the ground, but even that wasn’t feasible for the Calamity Jane goalkeeper…

Everton seldom threatened. However, a shot from Jesper Lindstrom was saved by our informed goalkeeper, Guglielmo Vicario, and that was that. People are now calling this game the Pickford Bobo Clown Show.

Thoughts…

This game was similar to the first 45 minutes we played against Leicester last week. But instead of one half, we got two exciting halves this time around.

I thought all squad members contributed to the team’s performance. We took most of our chances in front of goal. What an improvement on last season and the years before it.

Ange is in the process of eliminating the deadwood at Tottenham and establishing his own trusted soldiers.

Let me give a special mention to Wilson Odobert on his Tottenham debut.

As far as debuts go—especially for a 19-year-old—it was pretty amazing. I wasn’t surprised he was thrown in at the deep end. From what I’ve seen of him in video clips, etc., I thought he was one of those special players, and, yes, we all were amazed at his play.

Odobert’s game seems to thrive on taking defenders on and getting to the line. Even Maddison seemed to enjoy his play where Odobert was concerned. He kept setting the Frenchman away time and time again. Even though he didn’t goal assist, I am sure that will come in the days, months and years ahead.

He started to run out of steam near the end of the second half, but he certainly did enough to warrant another start next week.

How I rated the team performance, and why not?

Guglielmo Vicario (7) He wasn’t really tested, but overall, a good performance.

Pedro Porro (8): Invalidated the threats from our opponents and offered plenty going forward. Overall, it was a strong performance.

Cristian Romero (8): Struggled in the first half with some poor passing, but the second half was a different kettle of fish. He took a wonderful header on his 100th appearance for the club and killed the game. I say it killed the game, but the game was dead as soon as Everton walked on the pitch with Bobo the Clown and his laughing hyenas.

Micky van de Ven (10): A brilliant and, for me, a flawless performance, who was all over the chewing Toffee attackers. He displayed his cockerel on his chest with pride. Going forward, great, and then tracking back and to cover was excellent. He pulled out an unbelievable assist for the fourth goal, carrying the ball the length of the pitch before passing to Sonny Jim. 10.

Destiny Udogie (8): He did really well, keeping the Everton attackers quiet. More importantly, he carried the ball forward with equanimity and did not put a foot wrong all game.

Yves Bissouma (9): What a performance the naughty laughing gas boy put in against Everton. What he needed to say was “I am sorry” for his laughing gas prank and he did with his goal. This superbly taken goal will be the headlines of all the morning papers. He pulled the strings in the middle of the pitch and deserves lots of credit for stepping up.

James Maddison (7): he flummoxed a few good chances but, sadly, wasn’t as effective when playing deeper. But, when he was moved forward into the number 10 role, he was able to have more of an impact with his passing—an excellent corner for the third goal.

Dejan Kulusevski (8): Another good performance from Kulusevski, who played through the middle and provided a constant source of creativity for his teammates. Personally, I thought he looked more operational in the ten role than he does out wide.

Brennan Johnson (4): Like the Leicester game, I thought he wasn’t involved enough. If he doesn’t get involved more, I think he could be back on the bench pretty quickly. His passes were off the mark, he misdirected a few balls, and it ended up being a disappointing display.

Son (9): A good goal in the first half. Showed excellent ball control to win a free-kick in the second half. It was a brilliant finish for his second goal, and he looked a lot more dangerous when he came out wide.

Wilson Odobert (10): He had some exciting runs and delivered some alluring crosses. However, he did struggle as time went on (by then, he looked very tired). He had plenty of promise, and because of that, I gave him a 10. He was thrown in the deep end and played well until tired. It deserves high praise and a good 10-pointer.

I thought the subs played reasonably well. Overall – for them – thumbs up!

This is a bit of nostalgia from 30 years ago… I was there… and it was against… yes, Everton.

On this day, Spurs fans got their first glimpse of Jurgen Klinsmann at White Hart Lane in a Spurs shirt. That match was a sell-out. Jurgen scored two goals, winning 2-1 against Everton. This was the game that he started his diving performance after scoring... in response to people who criticised him for diving. It was a brilliant day with a brilliant performance by all. 

The Newcastle game (away)…

My predicted team lineup…

Vicario, Udogie, Van de Ven, Romero, Porro, Maddison, Bentancur, Kulusevski, Odobert, Son, Solanke.

My prediction; 1-2

This game is going to be a lot harder than the previous two games. I expect a hard-fought fight, but with Tottenham just coming out on top. I am attempted to say we will score more than two goals, but I’ll leave it at that.

I did predict that we would beat Everton 4-0, but this is going to be a harder test.

I am looking forward to this trip with my friend Mel. We always have a joyous time when we travel to away games. When we arrive—we are leaving on Saturday—we should also meet our friend Janet.

The last three away games against Newcastle United

17 Oct 2021   Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur     W    

2-3        Premier League

23 Apr 2023    Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur     L     

6-1        Premier League

13 Apr 2024    Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur     L     

4-0        Premier League

Finally... a bit of history thrown in (at least you get your monies worth!)

One hundred and sixteen years ago (1^st September 1908), we (the club, not me) made our football league debut in front of a 20,000 crowd. This was at home. We beat Wolves 3-0, with goals from Vivian Woodward (2) and Tom Morris. I would love to say I had been there, but alas, that was 47 years earlier, before I even scuttled out of my mother's womb and into the living and breathing world. However, I can boast that the only cup finals I've missed in Tottenham's history were in 1901, 1921 and 1963 (Cup-Winners' Cup). Also, I didn't manage to go to UEFA away legs (abroad); everything else, thumbs up!

Up the Spurs

COYS!

Glenn

With Paul Coyte