Tottenham Hotspur vs Everton

I just don't know. I know Arsenal is 1996, and I'm sure it can't be that bad.

It really does come down to form, confidence and luck.

On form, we could get a result... confidence in the back-line should be high... we have rode our luck at times.

Refs and VAR are always a hindrance to our game.

If the midfield could play to maximum level then we can beat anyone on the day.

It will be tight and I feel, if we get the first goal, we can win it.

Based on his previous roles, he doesn't seem like someone who is great at overcoming problems. He just seems to take the hump. Consequently, we are well-positioned to win here. The only problem is. our team. We lack craft. So I suspect this will be a dour 0-0 that does neither team any good.

But if we get a bit of luck and ruthlessness, one goal could send Mourinho into a tailspin, be it a scuffed Sigurdsson penalty, a rebound off Keane's ass or whatever. Get it in the net and they will fold. You heard it hear first, folks.

We haven't beaten Spurs home or away since the drama of Jelavic's injury-time winner way back under David Moyes (when Moyes's stock was still sky high, so that tells you how long ago it was).

Hand on heart, unless we get the first goal tonight, it's hard to see us winning because our general play has been pretty tepid, even in the games we have held on to win.

The midfield pedestrian nature and the slow, slow attacking build-up concerns me against the better sides, especially away from home, where historically we just never seem to produce a performance.

Maybe we will get a surprise but I've watched Everton long enough to know that surprises don't usually happen all that often.

Despite the result we were overrun at times against Leicester in midfield until Carlo brought on Davies and changed formation. We all know that we need reinforcements in the middle and at some point that is going to cost us.

Also interesting to think we now have 5 games in 14 days so rotation will have to play a part at some point. We'll see starts for the likes of Sidibé, Mina, Kean etc at some point.

They are not firing on all cylinders. They look an unhappy bunch, as Mourinho's sour personality has infected their core.

Despite that, they hold most of the aces – in Kane, Moura, Alli, and Son – and I will be amazed if we can keep out that lot.

It will be the first time Gomes has faced Son (correct me if I'm wrong) since that terrible foul.

We should have won at Goodison with Dele getting away with a clear handball on VAR. Let's hope for some Karma tonight.

Kilbane walked in the first half after two yellows (his last ever act in an Everton shirt, he was sold days later).

Callum Davenport scored an own goal on 53 minutes and our new boy, Andy Johnson (remember he started like a house on fire), made it 2-0 on 66 minutes.

I recall that day Leon Osman absolutely schooling Edgar Davids and Spurs fans drooling over Mikel Arteta running the show 3 years on the spin at the Lane. Arteta was even better there during the 3-1 win in August 2007 (Osman, Lescott and Stubbs with the goals).

I think Everton will beat them today. I know our record at the so-called bigger sides is appalling but, in my opinion, Spurs aren't a bigger club and have massively over-achieved for a few years, mainly due to the manager and having Kane.

I think Everton will be celebrating another 3 points under the best manager we have had for 35 years.

They left Crewe Station on platform 10, and arrived back on platform 4... maybe the other way round?

They are vulnerable to set- pieces, a position that we have worked and improved on so there is a chance we can pinch something.

It will be interesting how Carlo sets us up and if we can gain enough possession to be effective. I smell a draw tonight but of course want a win.

Spurs have often turned in shit performances against us but we've never taken advantage of them, so I'd say it's more on Everton than them.

I need to start seeing our midfielders actually push up and support around the penalty area more frequently.

Also, they need to start shooting more too. When I watch Everton, what hits me compared to other sides I see is that none of our midfielders ever shoot from distance anymore, a lot can happen with a pot shot, as that kid for Southampton found out last night.

Already, Carlo has been away to Liverpool (the kid side in the Cup), Man City, Arsenal and Chelsea and we've lost them all so I think he needs to get a result tonight – otherwise, it's following a very symmetrical pattern of many other Everton managers in big games.

It's high time we start living up to the billing of a team that has aspirations, there's enough international footballers in our team, enough money has been spent, it's time to start mixing with the big boys and stop having 3-year plans that never bear fruit.

Let's see what we are made of and if we have learned anything from the last visit to the big smoke.

They do have some brilliant players but, as Sheffield United have shown, it's about teamwork.

I feel we'll need a bit of luck to get the 3 points today and an effort from our centre-backs. Kane is the most complete striker I've seen since Shearer or Van Nistelrooy. Alli is mercurial. Prior to that awful foul, I was a big fan of Son as well, a real grafter and underrated player.

I'm hoping for that luck but my hunch is 1-1, Kane in the first half and a late equalizer from Richarlison. Mourinho and our own boss know how to set out a side, so it could be a sluggish affair to boot.

Hope I'm wrong, and Come on you Blues!

That for me might just be the difference tonight, the fact that they have Kane a striker that usually scores against us and he's in that elite group that needs on every sight of goal to score.

I'm not sure we have the type of player that can score a goal with one chance regular enough, Calvert-Lewin still needs too many sights of goal despite him improving a lot this season. He's still not quite the type of player that, as an opposing fan, you would fear him killing you dead.

Son and Alli are good players; Son is a brilliant player for me – better than Alli.

It will be a game of few chances, I think... two great historical managers that have seen and won it all but, in recent times, have erred on the cautious side.

As I recall, our only away win at the Sky Big Six in about 10 years is when we won away at Manchester United when Moyes was their manager...

In other words, around one win in 50 matches,

Anyone watching the game can thank me tomorrow for the seven goal thriller that will probably come to pass now.

We have three ‘winnable' (I hope you know what I mean) home games and three away games against the teams directly above us. This means our fate is in our own hands.

No-one has started the traditional Europa League debate yet, perhaps it'll kick in if we win tonight?

I didn't recall him doing much after he came on against Leicester but I decided to review this after plenty on here said he had played well in a crucial change of formation that enabled us to hold out for the win.

For most of his half-hour, he stayed pretty central and deep, the base of the diamond, I believe. He kept the shape in a pretty disciplined manner, only venturing forward in two very impressive sorties towards the end.

What I did not see on Wednesday night was probably the most annoying part of his game previously, where he'd go in recklessly and tangle clumsily, giving away a free-kick and possibly earning a yellow. But there was none of that. He didn't even man-mark Maddison but somehow was in the space Maddison wanted to dominate, and that seemingly was enough to disrupt their flow. Once, he tried what could have been a great through ball, but it went to a defender who anticipated it, rather than our striker.

On both those runs, he beat a couple of Foxes and made two lovely impressive forays with the ball down the right channel, looking to feed our dozy forwards who had no idea what was going on and completely wasted the opportunities he tried to create. But I'm told they don't get any supply from our midfield, so I was probably missing something here...

I will credit Carlo for the improvement in his game. Perhaps with Schneiderlin now gone, Iwobi still ineffective (and shitting out of at least two challenges on Wednesday) and Sigurdsson a complete nonentity, it is time for Tom to show us what he can do? I think I'd prefer to see him in the starting line-up tonight.

We have to continue to play better than the sum of our parts to win here. But, I am happy that, in the 3 games so far, we have seen progress.

To start that debate... The benefit of Europa League qualification is that playing in it seems to encourage players to join a club. The downside is the need for a bigger squad and potentially more 'deadwood' being kept.

With the set-up we have and Carlo in charge, we may still attract a better class of player without having to spend like a pools winner if we don't offer European footy next season.

My hope is that, if we take the 12 points plus anything from Wolves and Spurs, we will have done enough. But, in the big scheme of things, I would just like us to get this season over with and move on. Whatever happens, next season HAS to be better.

They are good but Mourinho seems to have drained a lot of life from them and the first 11 is a Work in Progress...

Spurs have been running hot and cold and the break up of Vertonghen and Alderwereld has seen their defence become suspect which Everton may capitalize on if the midfield can play well.

A fixture that hasn't boded well for a long, long time not since Andy Johnston scored there so why not another win today.

The end-of-season game there last year showed us what we can do there, having conceded a very early goal and then going ahead.

I guess, with 5 games in 14 days coming up Carlo, will be forced to make changes. I hope he starts Gordon again tonight, who looked very promising against Leicester.

A win would really set up a good finish to the season, and would build confidence for the start of the new season.

I remember saying though that we would get something from Chelsea away and look how that turned out. Spurs record at their new ground is awful though.

1-1 prediction

In the past, Jose could surprise the opposition by changing his style of play; now, he just seems to amble along. I hope he doesn't come to life tonight and get Spurs in a proper mood to win this game.

I'll be happy with another draw but wouldn't be surprised if Carlo pulls another win out of the bag, even if it doesn't look pretty.

Tough one to call, but the fact that their defence was all over the place vs Sheff U is encouraging

Unfortunately for us, Spurs have just been stuffed by Sheff United and will want to exact some sort of revenge, especially at home, and probably at our expense.

We will need to be smart defensively but I do think this is going to be a midfield battle. The gap is now becoming stretched in terms of finishing top ten or bottom ten for us and today is another must win game if we are to make a late push for Europe, if we lose, well that's our season over and done with, I feel.

Only good thing is last time we played Spurs that had Eriksen and Poch was their manager. They still don't look comfortable under Jose and haven't adapted well to his playing style. Hopefully we can ruffle a few feather and sneak a cheeky 1-0, which would be a brilliant result. Here's hoping though. Kane, always dangerous but I do feel the way Keane is playing, he may have the better of him.

Coyb

I can't phantom Tottenham not being able to work things out with Pochettino, and him appearing to lose the dressing room, inside a short period.

Pochettino is still unemployed, like a Mark ll Silva.

Mourinho might decide to swallow his pride and recall Alderweireld and/or Vertonghen, but the Spurs defence - and defensive midfield - is significantly weaker than it has been in the last five or so years.

My guess is that we would benefit from being bold and trying to put pressure on them from the off, rather than give the impetus to their talented (if slightly underperforming) attacking unit.

Spurs are a real Jekyll and Hyde team, and that Dutch lad is dangerous.

1-1 is expect, 1-2 I hope

Let's make sure we don't buck that trend, 3 points and we are going to be taken seriously, by the the other upcoming opponents.

Euro qualification is still a possibility, although a fairly slim one, and will still depend on how teams around us perform, which of course we have no control over.

COYB

Davies deep
Bernard. Richarlison
Sigurdsson

Then stick Moise Kean up top with Calvert-Lewis.

All of that is immaterial however in my mind. This game is all about Spurs, not us. I think the players hate Jose. I think they want to revolt. They'll go out and play. If they get on the front foot, they'll continue forward and most likely be too much to handle. If on the other hand, we take the initiative and their heads start to drop, it's game over.

It's a very unhappy camp at Tottenham. Hopefully the negativity starts quickly against the Blues, and they dig their own grave.

If we remain disciplined and get through that initial wave, I think we are well in this match. We can poach a goal and send them into a bit of disarray. Then Carlo will take Richarlison off and stick Tom on again for the last 30 mins and try for a repeat performance.

It's a bit optimistic but I called the correct score against Leicester so I am on a roll:

Tottenham 0 Everton 1

I'd not break up the back four, and as well be sat deep, Keane should be in his element. The front two pick themselves.

Leave the defence alone until we can address the goalkeeping problem in the summer. Coyb let's have something to grasp after another miserable season.

For me, Gomes needs a rest. He's not been good, he looks tired, his legs look heavy.

On his day he's out best midfielder, but he's been under-performing and I really think it's down to fatigue.

Saying that, he'll be MOTM no of course.

Spurs look a touch lost we look very solid, I cannot envision Carlo changing the tactics up, however the midfield needs regular rotation. Gomes should the one to give way for Davies, (I've been underwhelmed with him for some time, even pre injury; Villa away for example). Sigurdsson is doing fine as the pace of the games is much slower. I'd give Kean a start with Calvert-Lewin and plug Richarlison in wide with Gordon. Both are disciplined and can spring the front two.

Steve is right, the defense needs continuity not change. Deffo in with a shout tonight.

He sat deep between the lines in which Maddison was operating in and causing us problems. Without doing anything evident or spectacular Tom contributed to choking off their passing lines.

Indeed, as a result of Carlo's changes followed by Roger's own further changes, Maddison curiously dropped off to play out the game much deeper around the half-way line, which helped ease the pressure on our back line.

Tom's forays forward at the end reminded us of how good he can be. I also agree with your assessment that there were none of those clumsy challenges Tom is prone to, usually when attempting (unsuccessfully) to recover the lost ball.

Given Spurs are our next opponents, I watched their game v the Blades. Yes, the game turned on the strange VAR decision which denied Spurs an immediate equaliser to make it 1-1. And yes, they play some pretty football going forward. But - my! - they were stripped naked time and again at the back.

They have a midfield and forward line which on its day can hurt us, as well as we are playing defensively since the restart.

But equally, we have a forward line (if not a top notch midfield) which can hurt their defence.

Let's see which Spurs and which Everton turns up.

A win would start to make things very interesting in the shake down for a Euro place. A defeat would, for me, end any outside chance of that happening.

Saw something interesting in that he spent lockdown living with a Personal Trainer friend (moved out of homes as to better protect his father) and worked out every day to build muscle mass and get stronger and with results. The guy is really determined and it looks to be paying off. I think he could light up the end of our campaign.

Bernard has looked average to poor in all his appearances so far, so why people are clamouring for him to start I don't understand.

I agree with you that Bernard hasn't looked very effective since the re-start. I wonder how much his anxiety attack has impacted on him..?

Gordon was excellent v Leicester and did well v Liverpool.

I really like how Carlo talks about him, saying very explicitly that he isn't a token selection and getting played because he is a boy from the academy, but because he is the best choice for the position and is in the team on merit.

That has got to be a huge lift to a lad as young as Gordon to hear a manager of Carlo's standing talking about him in that way.

The same with telling Richarlison that he is in the top 10 of all the strikers that Carlo has managed.

How true and sincere all this is from Carlo is neither here nor there. It's good man-management either way to fill the respective players with confidence.

He's looked lethargic and clumsy in his appearances so far. I like him, think he's a good option to have, but think the bench is his best place considering what we want going forward.

The main reason I would put Bernard in for Gordon is formation. Gordon has played wide midfield in a 4-4-2 the last couple of matches. I think we need 3 in the middle tonight, that's why I'd put Bernard on one flank, and Richarlison on the other. Gordon has done a disciplined job at wide midfield, but I'm not sure he is attacking enough to play as a wide forward...

His problems pre-date CV-19, but as you are only too well aware, Brazil is not a happy place to be right now with the shite that is going down here.

UK or Brazil-based, it must prey on his mind. It's a nice interview, not always a comfortable one for him.

Danny, wide forward has been his U23's position, left or right. Maybe Carlo is just asking him to restrict his play to tracking back, closing down, making simple passes etc, while he finds his feet and confidence in the first team - with a view to letting him have his head sooner or later (hopefully sooner).

I've seen him retain and win back the ball many times against monoliths considerably larger than him. Not difficult to encounter as, if I'm correct in saying, he remains the smallest player in the PL.

But if we are selecting on merit, Gordon looks ahead of him at the moment. And Anthony hasn't yet shown what pace and after-burners he has. When he does he will delight our supporters and surprise the opposition.

I also think the 4-4-2 has consistently been a constantly changing system.

From a basic set up of 4-4-2 to 5-3-2 out of possession, to 4-3-3 on the counter attack.

I think if we set up as 4-3-3 (like Silva), we will ultimately end up with a 4-5-1 with DCL isolated.

My predicted starting XI:

Pickford
Coleman Keane Holgate Digne
Iwobi Siggy Davies Gordon
Richy DCL

Subs: Virginia, Mina, Sidibé, Baines, Gomes, Beni, Bernard, Kean, Ellis

Not for one minute do I expect it to happen, however every so often we have a bad Day where nothing goes for us, dodgy penalty ( Kane) the taker, free kick, Again akane.

I am more hopeful under Carlo o and hope we hold our own and get a result, if we have a brain fart, then that 50/1 looks tempting.

I am more hopeful under Carlo and hope we hold our own and get a result, if we have a brain fart, then that 50/1 looks tempting.

How I miss the edit button.

My biggest concern is Son because of his speed and directness.

We don't have anyone who can cope with that.

Apparently its 14 games since we beat Spurs. Long overdue.

Lets hope to put that right tonight.

But he has not been selected to start since Everton came back and when he does come on he appears not to have come through the break well, what ever the reason. Gomes is the same, but Ancelotti is limited in options.

Ancelotti is probably hopeing that they both will become match fit from playing. Sigurdsson has the proverbial going missing problem and Davis was able to beat defender quite easily when he came on, against Leicester. I believe Davis is most effective in the final third, he tends to lose possession if he comes from further back.

"Chance to go 9th here and snapping at the heals of Arsenal, Sheffield Utd, and Burnley."

Well thats fucked it now Laurie shhhhhh.

However, every game is different and we never know what to expect with any game since the season restarted but Everton's defence need to be on their toes to keep Spurs scoreless as they do have talent throughout the squad.

If he was homegrown the stick he would get...

I think the 4-3-3 is coming, we're just not there yet. It wouldn't shock me in the least if we're playing a 4-3-3 come Christmas and being on the front foot most matches.

Jerome @73 -

I have not forgotten that tackle, and Son is a shithouse. I would never root for anyone to get hurt. But if Son were removed from the game one way or another, I'd not be displeased.

I will say I sincerely hope at least 2-3 hearty, hearty tackles are put in against Son. I will also say if Gomes "pulled a Roy Keane", part of me would be pissed off, but that evil, dark side of me would be pleased.

Gomes won't do that, it's not in his character. Here's hoping someone on our team sends a strong message that when Son is on the ball, he best keep his freaking head up and get rid of the ball quickly.

If this were hockey, Son would have no choice but to drop the gloves from the initial faceoff, and he'd spend zero time on the ice because every single time he went back out there, someone would go after him and force him to fight again. A steady diet of the sin-bin.

I really hope someone sends a hearty, albeit clean, message to that jackwagon at least 2-3 times today.

What unadulterated poppycock! Since I neither attend matches nor go in the forum, I know for a fact Bernard receives exactly, down to the insulting syllable, the precise amount of stick he would receive if he was a local lad. It's a completely equitable process of abuse.

I'd say Tom wins the one v. one abuse battle, but it's pretty darned close.

Beware the wounded animal as we all know how difficult it is to play a team after they've just had a a good slapping. However, the opportunity is there for us without an angry home crowd pushing them on.

If we score first you never know. Young Dominic is due a goal as well.

Full support blues 💙
Onward Evertonians.

I'd normally agree on the wounded animal analogy, but these days when wounded, Mourinho seems to keep picking at the scab until it goes septic. Tottenham are toast.

Jamie gets extra points for the absolutely perfect Scouse use of shithouse as a noun in a footballing context. Marvelous stuff.

If only we were allowed to get some use out of Besic this campaign, he'd be an ideal candidate for a spirited challenge or three on the Korean.

PS - Kieran Kinsella (#80) very cheeky and gave me a sly grin. Poppycock indeed.......Fair dos though, much more restraint shown today than recently.

I know times have changed with cameras and retrospective action etc but if we are getting well beaten and there is five minutes to go I hope someone boots Som to kingdom come.

I know times have changed with cameras and retrospective action etc but if we are getting well beaten and there is five minutes to go I hope someone boots Som to kingdom come.

You are right. He did not register with me, which says it all. Maybe after lockdown Ancelotti formation doesn't suit him. I also don't remember him tackling that much. He had one of the highest tackle rates for a forward player this season, before the break. Hopefully he with find his form.

Jamie#73

Someone has to get a hard tackle in on Son early in the game and his Marker needs to continually breath down his neck. As you say he is the type of player that would continue to try to get away with it. In Ice Hockey it would be as you say.

High marks for understanding the concept of self-policing.

Wayne Gretzky scored goals for fun. Why? Because Marty McSorely played wing on Gretzky's line for like ever.

If anyone even breathed on Gretzky, they were in for a beating. And everyone knew it.

Some say Goon, I say Guardian Angel.

I couldn't agree more. I will jump up and yell with delight if and when that happens.

As I say, a hearty, hearty challenge.

p.s. - Try saying that last sentence with a pirate accent. Quite fun. Sophomoric, but fun.

We don't need outside recognition, just keep on winning, creeping up that table unnoticed will do for me.

This has been done to death, but that's your version.

I see an entirely different version. A player, with the red of a bull in his eyes, chased down another player and hacked him down from behind. Cause and effect. Without the challenge - from behind mind you - the injury doesn't happen.

On top of that, as I'm a mind-reader of some capability, Son knew exactly what he was doing. It was filthy, dirty, and he intended to injure. It's one of those shithouse (!) cheeky (!) moves that a player does, pretends it's done on "accident", and then claims innocence.

In short, fucker knew what he was doing.

You have your version. I have mine. Mine's right. 😜😂

I've been keeping an eye on Choudhury at Leicester as this article rings very true. He could, hopefully, be a bit of a ground breaker. He's a tough player and has a bit of talent too. Leicester has a large Asian British community so he's positioned to be a good role model for the next generation of local kids.

The second red card for Son was against Chelsea, straight after Tottenham won the appeal against red card in the Everton match. They again put in a appeal and Mouriho blamed the Chelsea Player for bring the Referees attention to it. It was Var that actually confirmed the red card in that occasion. So it shows you what Everton are up against with this Player, fully supported by his Manager. They lost the second appeal.

Andrew #93

You might find it disappointing , but a player like Son will push his luck and is probably encouraged to do so by the Manager. Tottenham where up against in both the Everton and Chelsea games and Son was encouraged to do his dirty work. It did affect Everton as Gomes was playing well. It backfired in the Chelsea game.

Mourinho will not be saying to Son to take it easy, he will be fully encouraging him.

Nowadays, the player initiating the fight as you describe gets ejected. Just like Gomes will today if he goes all Roy Keane on Son.

You cheer the red card if you want. I'd rather win the game.

I was so, so unhappy with our response to Spurs' contesting the red.

We just laid back, said, "Nah, it's fine."

It really, really ticked me off.

We need points. We're not getting points down to 10 men. We can't do anything rash. I just want to see us send a message and put in a robust tackle or two, and be incredibly physical with Son.

I mean, serious question: does he not have it coming??!!

I was so, so unhappy with our response to Spurs' contesting the red.

We just laid back, said, "Nah, it's fine."

It really, really ticked me off.

We need points. We're not getting points down to 10 men. We can't do anything rash. I just want to see us send a message and put in a robust tackle or two, and be incredibly physical with Son.

I mean, serious question: does he not have it coming??!!