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Here is Brian Judson's preview of the game
Full Record of Spurs -v- Everton
Prem Pl W D L For- Ag Pts
Home 11 7 4 0 23 - 14 25
Away 11 4 6 1 12 - 8 18
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Total(Prem) 22 11 10 1 35 - 22 43
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Football Lge
Home(Div 1) 54 25 16 13 107 - 67 72
Away(Div 1) 54 10 17 27 60 - 88 38
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Total(Div 1) 108 35 33 40 167 -155 110
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Football Lge
Home(Div 2) 1 1 0 0 1 - 0 2
Away(Div 2) 1 0 0 1 2 - 4 0
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Total(Div 2) 2 1 0 1 3 - 4 2
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Total(Prem) 22 11 10 1 35 - 22 43
Total(Div 1) 108 35 33 40 167 -155 110
Total(Div 2) 2 1 0 1 3 - 4 2
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Grand Total 132 47 43 42 205 -181 155
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The most important day in Tottenham's long history was that of Saturday,
October 11th, 1958. Two decisions were made that day that were crucial to
Tottenham's fortunes. As Tottenham slithered into a relegation battle
after two seasons of chasing Manchester United in the Championship,
manager Jimmy Anderson resigned as Manager, thus severing a 50-year
connection with Tottenham. The then-largely untried Bill Nicholson was
appointed as his successor.
Nicholson had been club coach to Tottenham since retiring during season
1954-55, He had also devised the tactics for England v Brazil during the
1958 World Cup, which England drew 0-0. Nicholson never had a contract
with Tottenham during his 16-tears stewardship. When the time came to go,
he did not hang around.
His first game in charge was against an Everton side, whose single
ambition seemed to be to secure relegation before Christmas. Everton were,
in short, hopeless. Spurs scored 10 that day but Everton, hopeless as they
were, managed to score 4 against one of Tottenham's poorest defences. And
yet the paradox was that it was almost, but not quite, the Double defence.
I have related the events of the match before. Spurs were 6-1 ahead by
half-time and ran out 10-4 winners. Smith grabbed 4 goals, Stokes added
two more and the remaining goals were scored by Ryden, Medwin, Harmer and
Robb, who had returned to the team after Cliff Jones had broken a leg.
Last season, Spurs won the corresponding match, 4-3. Robbie Keane scored a
hat-trick after Poyet had put us ahead.
The most disappointing match that I have experienced between these two
clubs was Tottenham's 2-1 home defeat in April 1985 when Graham Roberts
scored our only goal in a packed White Hart Lane. We had been having a
tussle for the Championship with Everton and it was a game we had to win.
But on the night we crumbled when we needed to bee strong. We have not
figured as a championship contender, just occasionally flattered, since
that match.
Everton have had some serious flirtations with relegation over the last
few years but David Moyes has ended the dismal run of failure and looks
set to restore dominance to the blue half of Liverpool. They are certainly
a more resilient side under Moyes so we shall have to be at our very best
tomorrow (Saturday). They have made a brilliant find in Wayne Rooney,
probably the best find since Liverpool unveiled Michael Owen. Rooney looks
set to rewrite all the record books given thee breaks.
The Toffees, as they are popularly known, have only spent three seasons
outside the top flight since the Football League was founded in September
1888. They were relegated to Division 2 at the end of season 1929-30 and
only stayed downstairs for one season. They stayed in the top flight until
the end of season 1950-51 but only needed two seasons to regain their
position when they passed Liverpool, who had just been relegated for the
first time in 49 years.
Everton once had a TV play devoted to one of its greatest players : Alex
Young, who was christened 'The Golden Vision'. But good as the 1962-63
side was, I have always regarded the Everton Championship side of 19699-70
as the better one with that midfield of Ball, Harvey and Kendall. Much of
the 1980s saw Kendall and Harvey in charge of Everton. Kendall, in fact,
has had three spells in charge of Everton, the last of which saw Everton
seriously threatened by the spectre of relegation.
Much will depend on Tottenham's defence. I suspect Pleat will probably
adopt a 4-4-2 again as the defence may face a testing examination of its
credentials. If Tottenham win, it will be more by good fortune, luck and
poor shooting by Everton. Let's hope Tottenham's man marking, particularly
in dead ball situations, is not faulty!
COME ON YOU SPURS!
Brian
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