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Everton 2-2 Tottenham - Instant Reaction | Sloppy defending costs Everton

More dropped points at Goodison Park

Everton v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League - Goodison Park Photo by Jon Super/PA Images via Getty Images

Everton dropped points at home yet again as two defensive calamities helped Spurs on their way to a draw that did neither side’s European ambitions any good.

Mix-ups between Michael Keane and Mason Holgate led to two goals for Harry Kane, with Gylfi Sigurdsson scoring twice for the Toffees.

It is a result that will be cheered by the rest of the European contenders, while simultaneously killing Everton’s top four hopes and even making their Europa League chances and outside bet.

Everton made three changes from Monday’s bore draw at Brighton with Jordan Pickford in for Robin Olsen in goal, while Allan and Alex Iwobi come in for Seamus Coleman and the injured Yerry Mina. Dominic Calvert-Lewin again missed out.

Sigurdsson curled a long-range effort well over in what was a tepid opening.

James slowly began to show his class and the Colombian’s lovely through-ball set up a chance for Richarlison, with the Brazilian’s curling effort pushed away by Hugo Lloris at full stretch.

Then, out of the blue, Spurs went in front in shambolic circumstances.

In attempting to clear Tanguy Ndombele’s cross from the left Keane inadvertently flicked the ball away from Holgate and straight into the path of Kane, who took a neat first touch before volleying into the corner.

Tottenham had rarely threatened at that point so to fall behind was a blow - thankfully we didn’t have to wait long for an equaliser.

Sergio Reguilon caught James as he looked to run on to Sigurdsson’s pass in the area resulting in a penalty, which the Iceland midfielder confidently dispatched into the corner.

Everton v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League Photo by Tony McArdle/Everton FC via Getty Images
Everton v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

That double salvo belatedly brought the game to life, with James drawing a smart stop from Lloris from Sigurdsson’s slide rule pass. Iwobi then saw his goalbound shot inadvertently blocked by Sigurdsson after Spurs conceded possession on the edge of their own area.

Richarlison had a header comfortably saved by Lloris before Ben Godfrey sent an effort over from James’ fizzing free-kick as the half ended much better than it began.

Spurs had a chance early in the second half when Son skinned Keane before firing in a shot from a tight angle that Pickford blocked for a corner.

Ndombele had an effort blocked by Lucas Digne before looping just over Pickford’s crossbar. From the resulting corner Toby Alderweireld’s near-post header smacked off the outside of the post.

The ineffective Iwobi was withdrawn after an hour to be replaced by Seamus Coleman and within a minute the Ireland captain played his part in a wonderful second goal.

Coleman played a neat one-two with Richarlison before playing the ball low across goal towards Sigurdsson, who opened up his body and sidefooted the ball first-time into the corner.

Glorious.

FBL-ENG-PR-EVERTON-TOTTENHAM Photo by JON SUPER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Everton v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League - Goodison Park Photo by Peter Powell/PA Images via Getty Images

But just as Everton levelled shortly after going behind, so they were pegged back minutes after going infront.

It was another defensive catastrophe as Keane headed Erik Lamela’s cross into the back of Holgate and into the path of Kane, who volleyed first-time into the top corner.

Everton v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League - Goodison Park Photo by Peter Powell/PA Images via Getty Images
Everton v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League - Goodison Park Photo by Jon Super/PA Images via Getty Images

We haven’t seen much of Josh King in an Everton shirt, but he was given an opportunity here - and very nearly won it.

The Norwegian ran on to James’ pass but saw his effort saved by Lloris, with Richarlison blazing the rebound over.

James then fired a shot wide as the Toffees pushed for a win, but it once again eluded them.

A result that looks ok in isolation is not good enough at this stage of the season and poor given the manner of the goals conceded.

The season is now in real danger of drifting away...