Match report: Everton 0 Tottenham Hotspur 0

8 November 2021

4 Min Read

8 November 2021

Tottenham Hotspur play out a stalemate with Everton at Goodison Park
By Haran Naresh

Goodison Park (credit Rept0n1x/Wikimedia Commons)

Antonio Conte’s first Premier League game in charge of Tottenham Hotspur ended in a goalless draw against Everton.

Giovani Lo Celso’s effort which hit the post was the closest Spurs came to scoring in what was a poor performance.

Everton had a penalty given that was later overturned by the V.A.R. The home side played the last few minutes of the game with 10 men after Mason Holgate was sent off for a dangerous challenge on Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

With six minutes on the clock Ben Godfrey beat Harry Kane to a loose ball and hit a weak shot that was easily saved by Hugo Lloris.

An Everton free-kick was taken short to Fabian Delph and he lofted a ball to the far post which found Michael Keane and he headed into the side netting.

In the 18th minute Tottenham counter-attacked and Lucas Moura went on a mazy run, evading a couple of challenges in the box before having his effort blocked.

Following a cagey start, the game began to open up.

Spurs worked the ball to Sergio Reguilon and he picked out Emerson Royal at the back post but he headed well wide.

Allan chipped the ball into the box towards Richarlison and he headed wide amidst pressure from Ben Davies.

With 38 minutes gone, Gray went on an excellent run before going down in the box. Everton appealed for a penalty but the referee dismissed their appeals.

Both teams sorely lacked composure in the final third.

Tottenham missed a brilliant opportunity to take the lead on the stroke of half time. Son Heung-min played Kane in down the right and he picked out the unmarked Reguilon who could only blaze well over from close range.

In the 50th minute Gray drove past Royal and found Anthony Gordon who fired off target.

Ben Davies struck a fierce shot from just outside the area which flew over the bar.

Everton were awarded a penalty in the 62nd minute. Lloris came out to intercept a ball and pushed the ball away but Richarlison went down from his challenge.

The decision was checked by the V.A.R and the referee changed his mind after seeing replays that showed that Lloris made contact with the ball.

The crowd were incensed by the decision and started to rally around their side.

In the 70th minute Tom Davies ran onto a loose ball and scuffed a shot into the ground.

Son delivered a cross that was collected by Jordan Pickford before it could reach Harry Kane.

Everton came close to taking the lead in 82nd minute when Lucas Digne squared to Gray and he slotted narrowly wide.

Tottenham had their biggest chance of the game in the closing minutes. Substitute Giovani Lo Celso collected the ball just outside the area before he cut inside and hit the post.

Spurs belatedly applied pressure on the Everton goal. Matt Doherty put in a searching cross that was just beyond the reach of Royal.

Mason Holgate was sent off in the 90th minute for lunging in recklessly on Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

Tottenham have delivered two contrasting performances in the space of three days. After putting in a strong attacking display against Vitesse in the Europa Conference League on Thursday they looked toothless against Everton.

Following an even second half, Spurs were thoroughly dominated in the second. In the end, they were fortunate to escape with a point.

Tottenham’s failure to register a shot on target will be a real cause for concern for manager Antonio Conte.

Clubs now step away for the next fortnight due to the international break. Tottenham’s first game back is at home to Leeds on 21st November.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte speaking in his post-match press conference: “I have to be happy for different reasons. Goodison Park is not an easy place to come to play against Everton, especially when you had a week that was very intensive.

“We have a lot of space for improvement in different situations, tactically and physically.

“Today I have seen the hearts of my players, the passion, the will to fight, the will to sacrifice.”

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