Premier League 2, First Divison, 2017-18
         Hotspur Way, Bulls Cross, Enfield
         Monday 15th January 2018, 12 noon

              SPURS     v     EVERTON
           (White/Blue)     (Blue/White)
             4-1-4-1          4-2-3-1

               1(0)             2(0)

        Alfie Whiteman  1   Mateusz Hewelt
          Anton Walkes  2   Nathangelo Markelo
           Jaden Brown  3   Matthew Foulds
           Luke Amos(C) 4   Dennis Adeniran
     Christian Maghoma  5   Morgan Feeney(C)
      Jonathan Dinzeyi  6   Lewis Gibson
         Shilow Tracey  7   Antony Evans
            Jack Roles  8   Conor Grant
      Kazaiah Sterling  9   Fraser Hornby
       Shayon Harrison 10   Bassala Sambou
       Keanan Bennetts 11   Nathan Broadhead

      Joseph Pritchard 12   Calum Dyson
             (6)62Mins      (11)70Mins
        Brandon Austin 13   Joe Hilton
      Anthony Georgiou 14   Josh Bowler
             (9)46Mins      (9)79Mins
          Matthew Lock 15   Jose Baxter
                            (10)62Mins
                       16   Alex Denny

Scorers:-
          Roles 68          Evans 72, 80

Booked:-
          Maghoma 85(Foul)  Evans 49(Foul)

Coach:-
          Wayne Burnett     David Unsworth

Attendance:– 117

Referee:– Alan Dale
Assistants:– Lee Grimsey & Paul Lister
Fourth Official:– Richard Carter

It was a cold rainy morning for the visit of Everton to Hotspur Way for this League game. This was Spurs' first game since losing 6-1 away to Leicester City. Marsh could not play because of his red card in that game. Skipp's red was rescinded but he was held back for tomorrows Youth Cup tie at Bournemouth. Everton's last game was also a defeat at Leicester by 2-1. Earlier in the season Spurs lost 4-1 at Goodison which was the same score as last season when Everton did the double over Spurs winning the game at Stevenage 2-0.

Spurs lined up with Whiteman in goal behind Dinzeyi and Maghoma with the returning Walkes at right back and Brown on the left. Amos anchored the midfield with Roles and Harrison ahead of him flanked by Tracey on the right and Bennetts on the left. Anton Walkes has returned from a loan spell at Atlanta United in the MLS and was quickly thrust into the side due to the suspension of Marsh.

Spurs kicked off the first half attacking the North end but could make little headway against a strong defence while the visitors pressed high up the pitch. Foulds had the first effort that was wide from long range while Harrison won a corner from his deflected shot. Spurs were getting down the left and Sterling headed wide from a Brown cross.

Whiteman had to save a header from Hornby before Sambou fired over and Evans drew another save from the keeper. Whiteman had to save a free kick from Evans before Sambou put the ball in the net after Whiteman had saved at his near post but the goal was ruled out for offside. Everton continued to make chances with Broadhead firing over from Markelo's cross and Whiteman saving from Hornby at a corner to go in at half-time level.

Spurs made a change for the start of the second half with Georgiou replacing Sterling going to the left flank. Bennetts moved to the right side to allow Tracey to go up front.

Georgiou's pace down the left brought a booking for Evans who stopped him getting away as Spurs began to get through the "Toffees'" defence. Roles fired wide and Bennetts was also off target. Dinzeyi went down for a second time and had to go off with Pritchard coming on at right back so that Walkes could move inside.

Harrison had a chance blocked for a corner before Spurs took the lead. A run by Pritchard to set up Roles for a strike into the far corner saw the home side go in front.

Everton immediately sent on a second striker and pushed for a goal which came when Baxter played in Evans for a one on one with Whiteman to draw level. When Everton won the ball on the right, Evans scored his second goal firing across Whiteman into the far corner. The Merseysiders then sought to see out the game while Spurs pushed for another goal. Roles saw his effort cleared off the line before Maghoma was booked for a foul on Evans to prevent them breaking out. Everton held out to complete another double over Spurs moving up to third in the table.

This was a bad result for Spurs who are getting stranded at the bottom of the table. They are two points behind Manchester United who play in the evening, and four behind Sunderland. Spurs' next game is away to United on the 29th. They do have a game before that in the Premier League International Cup. This is the last group game when they take on Benfica at Stevenage next week needing a win to qualify for the next stage.

Ray

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