Premier League 2, First Division 2018-19
              Goodison Park, Liverpool
           Sunday 23rd September 2018, 1pm

              EVERTON     v     SPURS
           (Blue/White)      (White/Blue)
              4-4-1-1           3-5-2

                6(3)             0(0)

              Joe Hilton  1  Jonathan De Bie
          Harry Charsley  2  Timothy Eyoma
        Brendan Galloway  3  Jaden Brown
         Dennis Adeniran  4  Japhet Tanganga
        Tyias Browning(C) 5  Jonathan Dinzeyi
          Matthew Foulds  6  Luis Binks
           Kieran Dowell  7  Paris Maghoma
      Nathangelo Markelo  8  George Marsh(C)
           Fraser Hornby  9  Shayon Harrison
            Antony Evans 10  Oliver Skipp
        Nathan Broadhead 11  Tashan Oakley-Boothe

           Morgan Feeney 12  Dylan Duncan
          Mateusz Hewelt 13  Charlie Freeman
          Bassala Sambou 14  Jack Roles
               (9)57Mins     (2)57Mins
         Manasse Mampala 15  Phoenix Patterson
              (11)70Mins     (5)68Mins.
             Josh Bowler 16  Jeremie Mukendi
              (10)57Mins

Scorers:-
         Browning 10
         Marsh 20 (o.g.)
         Hornby 38
         Evans 50
         Sambou 68 (pen)
         Bowler 85 

Booked:-
       Galloway 60(Foul)     Binks 52(Swearing)
                             Skipp 79(Pull)
                             Maghoma 89(Foul)

Coaches:-
         David Unsworth      Wayne Burnett

Attendance:– 133

Referee:– Leigh Doughty
Assistants:– Scott Taylor & Bradley Taylor
Fourth Official:– Ian Gittins 

Looking to build on the victory over Manchester City, Spurs travelled to Goodison to face high-riding Everton. The "Toffees" had lost their last game 1-0 at Derby County where a win would have taken them to the top spot. Last season Spurs were beaten 4-1 at Goodison when Everton hit three goals in a ten minute spell to take the game.

Spurs lined up with De Bie in goal behind a back three of Dinzeyi, the returning Tanganga and young Binks with Eyoma as the right wing-back and Brown on the left. Marsh anchored the midfield with Oakley-Boothe on the right, and Skipp on the left. Paris Maghoma seemed to be supporting Harrison up front. There was still no sign of Sterling or Tracey to provide options up front.

Spurs defended the Park End in a first half which saw the defence tested by a home side that pressed strong and high. Spurs looked sluggish, continually being caught in possession as they tried to play out of the back. Everton took the lead from a free kick on the right that was floated to the far post where Browning headed in.

Hornby headed wide before Everton increased their lead from a corner. Dowell sent his kick right under the crossbar where it was headed on by a defender into the far side of the goal. Marsh, who was at the far post, tried to hook it clear and was credited with the last touch which I feel should have gone to Dowell.

A Maghoma free kick was met at the far post by Binks but his header was cleared off the line. Hornby headed wide another free kick before he got the third goal. Good work by Broadhead on the left saw him set up Hornby for a first time shot on the turn. Spurs were now firmly on the back foot and Charsley had an effort saved in added time at the end of the half.

There were no changes for the start of the second half which saw Everton continue to press Spurs high up the pitch and which saw the impressive Broadhead get down the left and whip in a low cross for Evans to score the fourth.

Binks was pulled up after winning a tackle for a foul by the referee and he swore at the ref for what he concidered an injustice. The referee booked him suggesting that it was for a number of fouls by the Spurs defender. After 50 minutes it was 4-0. Brendan Galloway read the game very well, and made a run to anticipate a pass and get to the bye-line, crossing low for Evans to finish from close range. Harrison finally found space to turn and shoot from the edge of the area but it was saved by Hilton.

Broadhead drew a save from De Bie before Unsworth took off his main attacking players and Spurs made their first change. Roles came on to give support to Harrison with Eyoma coming off and Spurs changing to a back four with Dinzeyi going to right back with the task of stopping Broadhead.

Everton had taken their foot off the gas and this allowed Spurs a little room in midfield in which to work. This led to Galloway taking out Skipp with a sliding tackle on the sideline that earned him a booking. Charsley played in Sambou for an effort that was wide before he collected a return pass from Broadhead to fire wide himself.

Spurs were given a free kick for a foul on Skipp in the right corner of the Spurs half which Skipp took quickly but Sambou standing alongside him intercepted the ball and ran into the area. Skipp trying to make up for his error chased him down and was penalised for a foul on the attacker. Sambou took the kick himself sending De Bie the wrong way.

Spurs made their second change taking off Dinzeyi and sending on Patterson. Marsh moved to right back with Skipp dropping to anchor the midfield. Spurs were now able to pass the ball more and pushed forward looking for a consolation goal which allowed more chances for the home side. Bowler was sent through but hit the right post with his effort.

Good play by Spurs saw Harrison play in Maghoma on the right but he drove across the goal. Skipp was shown a yellow card when he was beaten by Bowler and he tried to pull him back. Mampala drew a save before Everton rounded off the night with a sixth goal. The game had been stopped for an injury to Oakley-Boothe. Mampala restarted the game with a throw in on the right back to De Bie. The Spurs keeper threw thw ball out towards Roles on the left but Bowler was too quick and intercepted it and advanced to score low into the near corner with De Bie out of position. There was still time for Maghoma to get a booking for a foul on Markelo before Spurs' punishment was ended.

This was a poor performance by Spurs who had changed their formation to take account of the strong attack of Everton. They did not get going as the home defence gave little space to the Spurs midfield and closed the defenders down quickly making their presence felt to prevent Spurs playing out from the back. 4-0 was bad enough without Spurs giving them the last two. Everton move to the top of the table on goal difference(they only needed three) ahead of Arsenal and Chelsea. Spurs have to make the long trip to the north-west again on Friday to play Blackburn Rovers who are bottom without a win. Hopefully Spurs will not let them get their first win. They play at the Leyland County ground which is a new venue for me.

Ray

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