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Everton vs Tottenham Hotspur

Lyndon Lloyd , 10 March, 12comments  |  Jump to most recent
Match Preview

Everton begin a testing spell of four games in ten days this weekend when Tottenham Hotspur make the trip to Merseyside just two months after the teams last met at White Hart Lane in the re-arranged fixture originally scheduled as the season opener back in August. [That game was, of course, postponed due to the clean-up following the riots in that part of North London.]

Having emerged from the shadow cast by the Manchester clubs as possible dark horses for the Premier League title, Spurs have suffered something of a reality check in the last fortnight, falling to back-to-back defeats against rivals Arsenal and United and conceding eight goals in the process.

The Londoners haven't lost three league games on the trot since 2008 when Juande Ramos was ushered out the door in favour of Harry Redknapp, but David Moyes will be itching to reset that sequence with what would be a rare victory over Tottenham. Even though Spurs haven't won at Goodison Park for five years, the Blues have only won six of their 39 Premier League games against them over the past 20 years.

Indeed, Spurs ran out comfortable 2-0 winners over Everton in N17 in January but that game also marked the last time Moyes's side lost and they come into this televised, late-afternoon kick-off looking to make it nine games unbeaten in all competitions. Since that rather weak performance in which they barely managed a shot on goal, the Blues have strengthened their side with the acquisition of Darron Gibson, Nikica Jelavic and Steven Pienaar and have put themselves into a position whereby they could sneak into a Europa League qualifying place if they can put together a run of victories.

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That won't be easy, though, with a sequence that sees them play third-placed Spurs, then face three games in the League against enemies Liverpool (A), improving Arsenal (H) and plucky Swansea City (A) in the next fortnight... with an FA Cup quarter final against Sunderland thrown into the mix next Saturday for good measure.

The improvement in the manager's selection options couldn't have come at a better time, then. As part of the arrangement that brought Pienaar back to Everton on transfer deadline day in January, the South African is inelgible to play against the team that holds his contract so he will be forced to watch from the stands.

But Phil Jagielka's successful outing in the mini-derby against Liverpool means that he provides strong back-up for the central defensive places — it's possible that Moyes could throw him back into the starting line-up but it would be harsh on John Heitinga or Sylvain Distin if either lost their place.

In midfield, while he wasn't named on the bench at QPR last weekend, Jack Rodwell is presumably fit enough to partner Marouane Fellaini in the centre if Moyes feels that would be a better option than persisting with Phil Neville, and, despite his disappointing return as a substitute at Loftus Road, Leon Osman provides an obvious option on the left flank in place of Pienaar.

It's up front where Moyes might make a change, though, given Jelavic's return to fitness and the lively nature of what was only his second appearance since arriving from Rangers in the draw at QPR. The Croatian replaced Tim Cahill and provided plenty of movement and running alongside Denis Stracqualursi, suggesting that the partnership might be a viable one for when Cahill isn't deemed fit enough.

Jelavic has yet to make his full debut and hasn't played in front of the home fans yet but he could well get his chance as a starter this weekend.

Clearly, this will be a supremely difficult game and one that will demand the determination and focus that helped Everton send Chelsea back down to London mulling a sound defeat last month. Tottenham will be missing Michael Dawson from their defence, Aaron Lennon from their flank and, pending Harry Redknapp's adherence to a "gentleman's agreement", Louis Saha up front. The formidable trio of Rafael van der Vaart, Gareth Bale and Scott Parker should all be back, though, giving Spurs plenty of strength in midfield.

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