Royal Blue Mersey - Everton vs Tottenham: Premier League Matchday 4It's a grand old team to supporthttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52544/royal_fav.png2017-09-11T16:30:02+01:00http://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/rss/stream/160423752017-09-11T16:30:02+01:002017-09-11T16:30:02+01:00Player Grades from Everton vs Tottenham
<figure>
<img alt="Everton v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/zaL3JesXExtFWzFFnlCK6Lk3Jzo=/0x0:3816x2544/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56616829/845564322.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Your votes are in for a disappointing performance overall</p> <p id="pOjmKf">It was always going to be very difficult to choose a ‘Man of the Match’ when <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> were this bad, with very few players able to leave the game with their heads held high. Against <a href="https://cartilagefreecaptain.sbnation.com/">Tottenham Hotspur</a>, the Blues were really bad, and this was widely reflected in the grades that the readers voted on. </p>
<p id="PuzCMO">There were 206 votes in all, grading the players on a scale of 1-10, and here is how they tallied up. </p>
<aside id="jRoQH4"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Everton vs Tottenham: Premier League Matchday 4","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2017/9/8/16278334/everton-vs-tottenham-premier-league-matchday-4-koeman-pocchetino-barkley-wanyama-aurier"},{"title":"Everton v. Tottenham Hotspur: Tactical Analysis","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2017/9/11/16283254/everton-tactical-analysis-tottenham-hotspur-koeman-rooney-sandro-striker-winger-slow-attack"}]}'></div></aside><h2 id="U0YMPv">Man Of The Match - </h2>
<h3 id="N0SmS1">
<span>Jordan Pickford</span> (5.82 out of 10)</h3>
<p id="AzWtTB">That the Man of the Match was a player who only graded out just under 6 out of 10 should tell you overall how miserably Everton played. The young goalie might have been partly at fault for the first goal, he failed to adjust his feet to the flight of the ball and attempted to dive his way out of trouble but in vain. For the second, he parried a fierce shot from close range but the rebound was tapped in while there was little he could do for the third after <span>Harry Kane</span> was left wide open by the entire defence. </p>
<h2 id="OdrJc3">Honorable Mentions - </h2>
<h3 id="js2whE">
<span>Leighton Baines</span> (5.57)</h3>
<p id="5Ok2qY">Here by virtue of not being the worst defender to have lined up for the Blues on Saturday. Spurs quick movement had him flat-footed more often than not and he didn’t give much going forward either. </p>
<h3 id="pdu1T7">Dominic Calvert-Lewin (5.30)</h3>
<p id="zzPYXc">Within seconds of coming on in the second half Spurs had scored their third and the game was over for all intents and purposes. DCL provides an option that can run behind the defence that no one else on the squad does as well as him, and should have probably started this game. </p>
<h3 id="B8wYRU">Nikola Vlasic (5.17)</h3>
<p id="Shizc6">Once again, embarrassing for all the starters that a sub who came in very late for just a dozen or so minutes made more of an impression. Vlasic was full of running and wanted the ball as he played through the central midfield area - expect him to feature more often. </p>
<aside id="eJqo3E"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"What is going on with the Everton Board?","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2017/9/11/16280756/moshiri-documents-filing-person-significant-control-everton-kenwright-blocked-transfers-barton"},{"title":"Everton Under-23s show seniors how its done, beat Tottenham 4-1","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2017/9/10/16283388/everton-under-23s-tottenham-4-1-match-recap-highlights-watch-goals"}]}'></div></aside><h2 id="ie1aza">The Rest - </h2>
<p id="XA0r4h"><span>Ashley Williams</span> (3.06) - Looked ponderously slow all game long, and his early caution for hauling down Kane was just a portent of how his afternoon would go. <span>Phil Jagielka</span> is currently the better player of the pair, and needs to start. </p>
<p id="FLekuS">Michael Keane (4.87) - While the better centerhalf on the day, he was responsible a couple of times for letting his man get away from him. The fact that Spurs kept finding huge gaps in the Blues backline was testament to how poor the defence was. </p>
<p id="5CU6OO">Cuco Martina (3.13) - The right back suffered badly without looking too overwhelmed. He failed to win a single take on as <span>Ben Davies</span> zipped by him to cross dangerously time after time. Martina’s botched clearance led to the second goal as well. </p>
<p id="d3NgVL"><span>Morgan Schneiderlin</span> (3.82) - Another poor game for the pivot as he seemed overrun and failed to become the distributing cog for the team yet again. His ball distribution when under pressure from high-pressing teams is starting to look suspect. </p>
<p id="8KYl7D">Idrissa Gueye (5.02) - Looked a little off the pace from his usual harrying self, always half a step behind. Fatigue looked to be a factor for the player as he picked up a booking. </p>
<aside id="OOSFbi"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Monday’s Toffee Bites: Is Everton in trouble?","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2017/9/11/16285506/everton-premier-league-news-links-rooney-koeman-keane-barkley-england-transfer-attack-spurs-2017"},{"title":"Koeman very calm despite languid performance","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2017/9/10/16280754/koeman-very-calm-analyzes-everton-tottenham-loss-morgan-schneiderlin"}]}'></div></aside><p id="eH6i4H">Davy Klaassen (3.51) - Completely ineffective. Having three central attacking midfielders stacked on top of each other and getting in each other’s way is not working. </p>
<p id="CE7mTV">Gylfi Sigurdsson (4.46) - Koeman had likely hoped that his trio of CAMs would organically weave in and out and create some width with some quick interchanges of passes, but it has not panned out so far. </p>
<p id="mZBZvB"><span>Wayne Rooney</span> (4.56) - Yet another poor game as he failed to establish himself as an outlet for the ball or someone who could control play. His frustration was clearly growing and picked up the obligatory yellow card late as he got more irritated. </p>
<p id="Okadsd">Sandro Ramirez (3.74) - Fluffed his lines when he got a couple of chances to register a shot on goal. Becoming quite clear that he is not a central striker. </p>
<p id="J1xFNP">Tom Davies (4.75) - Came on after the break, and while his running was able to open up play a little for the Blues, Spurs’ three-goal lead allowed them to sit back and close any spaces. </p>
<p id="0dTpda"></p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2017/9/11/16281250/player-grades-everton-vs-tottenham-man-of-the-match-pickford-baines-calvert-lewin-vlasicCalvin2017-09-10T14:59:03+01:002017-09-10T14:59:03+01:00Koeman did not give players the ‘hairdryer treatment’
<figure>
<img alt="Everton v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Y9eyh4xDy8uGoiGTt116HetHobI=/0x0:4259x2839/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56604001/844854052.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Ronald Koeman | Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Schneiderlin says team bears responsibility as a whole</p> <p id="zAPqg9">If you were expecting <span>Ronald Koeman</span> to have given the <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> players the patented <span>Sir Alex Ferguson</span> <a href="http://www.espnfc.com/manchester-united/story/2993417/sir-alex-ferguson-i-only-used-hairdryer-six-times-at-manchester-united">‘hairdryer treatment’</a> down 2-0 at the half, you will be disappointed. </p>
<p id="lExjGi">It turns out he very calmly explained to the players what they needed to do, which they promptly forgot as they stepped out of the changing rooms for the second half and immediately conceded a third. </p>
<p id="4PpBpq">Speaking to evertontv after the game, midfielder <span>Morgan Schneiderlin</span> said - </p>
<blockquote>
<p id="rj1bFH">“Tottenham were better than us on the day. We are not going to hide or find excuses, we just have to admit that they were better than us on the day.</p>
<p id="IPqZXQ">“We started well but the goal gave us a bit of a slap. But then we can’t drop the intensity and quality of our play like we did. It’s difficult when you go 2-0 down, but you’re still in the game. Then to concede the third so soon into the second half, it’s difficult on confidence. </p>
<p id="V6ny0o">“We have to use this game and learn from it. It’s only the fourth game of the season. Obviously, we have a very hard start to the season. We will learn from it as quickly as possible. </p>
<p id="8qVhFh">“As we said in the changing room afterwards, it’s not one defeat that can change our season. We just have to learn from it and show that we can bounce back in the next game.”</p>
</blockquote>
<p id="hvwaGE">With the first Europa League group stage upcoming on Thursday away at Italians Atalanta, the Blues will need to fix whatever issues plagued them yesterday quickly.</p>
<blockquote>
<p id="NCdQWH">“The manager is someone who is very calm when he analyses things. He analysed things very well at half-time, explaining the mistakes we had made and trying to change things for the better. But at the end of the game, of course, he told us we needed to be more aggressive and show more on the ball. </p>
<p id="roWKB0">“We are all football players and most of us are experienced, so we also know ourselves when we were bad and where we need to improve. </p>
<p id="TnZpP4">“We will have a meeting on Monday, after the manager has had time to analyse the game and we as players have had time to reflect on it.”</p>
</blockquote>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2017/9/10/16280754/koeman-very-calm-analyzes-everton-tottenham-loss-morgan-schneiderlinCalvin2017-09-10T11:00:02+01:002017-09-10T11:00:02+01:00Three thoughts from Everton’s hapless performance
<figure>
<img alt="Everton v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_jR5cNaT_ack8HMjoOHuSmJRJvU=/0x0:2068x1379/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56601819/844885288.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Three thoughts from Everton’s hapless performance</p> <h1 id="JyQrgl">Koeman’s game plan an utter failure</h1>
<p id="MMgtos"><span>Ronald Koeman</span> opted to go with a more traditional 4-2-3-1, spurning his three at the back formation against a very dangerous Tottenham side. However this line-up was missing one crucial piece, the wingers to round out the formation. </p>
<p id="xOvUfI">Record signing Gylfi Sigurdsson was out of position on the left flank, while Davy Klaassen and <span>Wayne Rooney</span> took turns playing in central midfield and right wing. Unfortunately none of those players possess the speed needed to get behind Tottenham’s three central defenders. Sandro and Cuco Martina were able to momentarily stretch the opposing defense, but these moments were few and far between. </p>
<p id="k7r4tX">Down two goals at halftime, Koeman wisely brought on Dominic Calvert-Lewin to inject some pace into the side, but Harry Kane’s 46th minute goal made the switch a moot point and put the match out of reach. </p>
<h1 id="P2JbX4">Shambolic defending by <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a>
</h1>
<p id="sUfeDZ">Everton’s defense had been a bright spot prior to this match. While the team has struggled to score goals, they had largely been keeping them out of their own net. This match however was failure of the highest order. </p>
<p id="82TLAu"><span>Jordan Pickford</span> perhaps could have done better on the first goal by Kane, but I tend to chalk that one up to luck more than anything. Instead of responding in kind, Everton wilted under the pressure of Tottenham’s attack and were caught napping on Christian Eriksen’s goal. Kane’s final goal showed a distressing lack of effort on the part of Everton’s defensive players as the England international finished the match off for good. </p>
<p id="fdCuFD">Realistically, Everton were lucky to escape this match with only three goals allowed. Had it not been for a few timely blocks and scuffed shots by Tottenham, this match could have been even more embarrassing than it already was. </p>
<h1 id="YOXSjm">Squad is deep in all the wrong places</h1>
<p id="MPDBEC">I’ll admit it, my better judgement may have been clouded by the amount of money Everton spent this summer. Like many supporters, the fact that big money signings were happening was so exciting that the bigger picture was lost until the window had almost shut. </p>
<p id="vWYRrs">Looking at the current make-up of the squad doesn’t allow for all of the best players to be in their optimal positions. Assuming Koeman continues to play Idrissa Gueye and <span>Morgan Schneiderlin</span> at the same time, then Klaassen and Sigurdsson cannot both play their preferred attacking midfield position. One of them will get pushed out wide where their skills are not properly utilized. </p>
<p id="PFdNbQ">The attacking trio of Wayne Rooney, Sandro and Calvert-Lewin are not really capable of leading a line by themselves. All would be best suited to play off a target man, the likes of which is not found in the squad. The team’s wing situation is a mess for the time being until Yannick Bolasie is healthy again. The remaining options are inexperienced, mediocre or malcontent. </p>
<p id="AaBpQk">Everton lacked a real playmaker last season, unfortunately they over compensated at the position and created a log jam. This current line-up may work in a video game, but in the real world it will be difficult to get the best out of a group of players that are not in their ideal positions. </p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2017/9/10/16280518/everton-0-tottenham-hotspur-3-superior-tottenham-crush-everton-koeman-goodison-park-kane-eriksenmralbaugh2017-09-09T20:45:39+01:002017-09-09T20:45:39+01:00Koeman’s comments do not inspire confidence in Everton
<figure>
<img alt="Everton FC v Hajduk Split - UEFA Europa League Qualifying Play-Offs Round: First Leg" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/fcdDxjFnYHkk0h3_V1RgC1J1KpE=/0x0:2964x1976/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56596441/833979348.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Ronald Koeman | Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Manager speaks to the media after the game</p> <p id="c7H3M1"><a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> looked as flat and listless as if the international break never happened, and Ronald Koeman’s project is not looking good early on in a season that was supposed to have so much potential. It was apt that the team was blown away by <a href="https://cartilagefreecaptain.sbnation.com/">Tottenham Hotspur</a>, whose progress Koeman himself had said Everton should aspire to this season and the next. </p>
<p id="74HERf">Spurs dominated the game and a brace from <span>Harry Kane</span> with another from <span>Christian Eriksen</span> inflicted only the Toffees’ second defeat at Goodison Park in 2017. </p>
<aside id="4p6omg"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Tottenham 3-0 Everton: Why?","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2017/9/9/16280234/tottenham-3-0-everton-final-score-results-harry-kane-christian-eriksen-goals-why-gross-bad-ugly-stop"},{"title":"Man of the Match and Player Grades Poll for Everton vs Tottenham","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2017/9/9/16280482/man-of-the-match-player-grades-poll-everton-vs-tottenham-no-one-deserved-it-all-very-bad"}]}'></div></aside><p id="y7LghE">After the game, Koeman spoke to the media - </p>
<div id="zU52Qc">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Koeman: "If you go out and start the second-half how we start the second-half...that was poor."</p>— Everton FC News (@LivEchoEFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/LivEchoEFC/status/906552298339487744">September 9, 2017</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="5llDBa">That’s a little like closing the stable door when the horse has already bolted, isn’t it? It was 2-0 at the break already. </p>
<div id="V4tNm5">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Koeman: "At 3-0 down I can understand how difficult football can be."</p>— Everton FC News (@LivEchoEFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/LivEchoEFC/status/906552393873203201">September 9, 2017</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="qqcUH8">Yes, yes, no kidding. If he’s making excuses for the listlessness then that’s pretty lame Ronko. </p>
<div id="INgIyz">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Koeman: "The first 30 minutes was really a game, we started well, but Tottenham - with Man City - they have the best football side in the PL</p>— Everton FC News (@LivEchoEFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/LivEchoEFC/status/906552704545251329">September 9, 2017</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="c61tCp">Well what happened then, ran out of gas after the first half hour? Not much of a halftime speech then either?</p>
<div id="zga1yF">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Koeman: "The problem was....the movement from Alli and Eriksen made it really difficult for Martina."</p>— Everton FC News (@LivEchoEFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/LivEchoEFC/status/906552978403979265">September 9, 2017</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="YnQ2jf">Playing Sandro Ramirez and Cuco Martina down the right, what else did you expect? Huge gaps between the two. </p>
<div id="3kJMlb">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Koeman: "If you look to the second-half we are really far away (from Spurs) but if you look at the first 30 minutes then not as far."</p>— Everton FC News (@LivEchoEFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/LivEchoEFC/status/906553236357894144">September 9, 2017</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="OYEmXD">For the first 30 minutes we looked like a 7th placed team, like last season. The remainder of the game we were no better than a lower midtable team. </p>
<p id="MrKxHO">Koeman still has a lot of work to do before this team looks as good as it does on paper. </p>
<div id="LFgzlj">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr"> | <a href="https://twitter.com/RonaldKoeman">@RonaldKoeman</a>'s post-match verdict... <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EFCmatchday?src=hash">#EFCmatchday</a> <a href="https://t.co/yeHIKvjwF4">pic.twitter.com/yeHIKvjwF4</a></p>— Everton (@Everton) <a href="https://twitter.com/Everton/status/906555140622225409">September 9, 2017</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="eu2PCv">Full comments below - </p>
<blockquote>
<p id="xnLQbh">“I think we started the game well, had a good control on the game and some chances, but the first goal - and maybe it’s a lucky first goal - makes it more difficult for us. </p>
<p id="lAk238">“We lost control, we had real problems with Tottenham’s diamond formation and they found easily the free player in the midfield. Then you are running behind the situation. </p>
<p id="8cqhZl">“The 2-0 before half-time was difficult, and if you see how we started the second half, that was really poor. </p>
<p id="QFePZU">“Three-nil down, one team was full of confidence and Everton were without any confidence, and that makes it even more difficult. </p>
<p id="VOP4Sz">“We’re disappointed, but they were by far - after 1-0 - the better team this afternoon.” </p>
</blockquote>
<p id="ArAJRg">He also went on to bemoan the effort from a languid team that lacked a sense of urgency all game long. </p>
<blockquote>
<p id="body_0_content_0_containerDiv">“When I spoke about Tottenham [before the game], I mentioned that maybe with Man City they have the best football side in the Premier League. </p>
<p id="laIAZG">“You have to learn from defeats and we can learn from the way we lost today.</p>
<p id="8gMYv0">“We lost aggression in the second half and that can be [to do with] confidence. </p>
<p id="yOBWn9">“But I think in several aspects in the game in the second half the players were too nice. I don’t ask for yellow and red cards but we gave the ball too easily to Tottenham.”</p>
</blockquote>
<p id="RMwWYS"></p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2017/9/9/16280762/everton-tottenham-koeman-comments-recap-3-0-kane-eriksen-making-excuses-responsibilityCalvin2017-09-09T20:30:46+01:002017-09-09T20:30:46+01:00RECAP: Everton 0-3 Tottenham
<figure>
<img alt="Everton v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/kejQ5_jUUHeSc5IEkePscs4YyGs=/241x0:2845x1736/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56597753/844903658.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Hopeless Blues comfortably dispatched by Spurs</p> <p id="G6xxZz"><a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> were taken apart by an impressive <a href="https://cartilagefreecaptain.sbnation.com/">Tottenham Hotspur</a> side at Goodison today, with yet more questions now raised about the Toffees squad. </p>
<p id="tkkCtr">It was a gutless and grim performance from The Toffees who barely threatened <span>Hugo Lloris</span>‘ goal and were an absolute shambles at the back under constant pressure from a far superior Spurs attack.</p>
<p id="GipBbs">Everton never got going in the first period and Tottenham were on the front foot from pretty much the word go. <span>Ashley Williams</span> earned himself an early booking for a tug of Harry Kane’s shirt, a needless caution with 85 minutes to play. The Blues’ only real inventive bit of play came between Cuco Martina and <span>Wayne Rooney</span> on the right hand side. The full back played the ball into Rooney who put a first touch ball into space for the onrushing Martina leaving <span>Ben Davies</span> behind, he crossed for Sandro Ramirez but the forward failed to divert his shot goalwards. The Spaniard also had a goalbound half volley blocked by <span>Toby Alderweireld</span> as things just wouldn’t drop in the final third for the Blues. </p>
<p id="F9hBci"><span>Moussa Sissoko</span> should have opened the scoring for Spurs after Davies got clear on the left and pulled back a perfect cross for the Frenchman, who had the whole goal to aim at, but steered the ball straight into Williams. Kane had failed score so far this season and was on 99 goals for Spurs, so inevitably it was Everton who would allow him to reach his milestone. The England striker received the ball from a cleared corner and smashed an effort past the helpless Jordan Pickford. It was unclear whether it was a shot or a cross but all that matter is Spurs were a goal up. </p>
<p id="MNYPvU">The visitors would double their advantage on the brink of half time with Everton failing to contain the exciting Spurs attack. Sissoko played through Alli who’s cross found Davies at the far post, his shot was parried out to Eriksen who slotted home for 2-0, all but over before half time.</p>
<aside id="9Ld2Xh"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Tottenham 3-0 Everton: Why?","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2017/9/9/16280234/tottenham-3-0-everton-final-score-results-harry-kane-christian-eriksen-goals-why-gross-bad-ugly-stop"},{"title":"Koeman’s comments do not inspire confidence in Everton","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2017/9/9/16280762/everton-tottenham-koeman-comments-recap-3-0-kane-eriksen-making-excuses-responsibility"}]}'></div></aside><p id="TF1hHN">The game was over as contest just one minute into the the 2nd half as Kane got his second of the day. He played a ball out to the constant menace Davies, who then crossed in for Kane completely free to side foot past Pickford, adding salt to the Toffees wounds. Spurs weren’t ready to sit back and defend their lead however as they kept up their relentless pressure on the hapless home rearguard and could have had another couple in quick succession if it wasn’t for Pickford. Both Eriksen and Kane were denied by smart saves from the young stopper.</p>
<p id="zyawkA">Everton had nothing much to offer and the game began to peter out towards its inevitable conclusion as both sides seemed to accept the result. This was the 10th game in a row Everton had failed to beat Tottenham and in doing so became Spurs’ most defeated team in the Premier League, with the North London side beating the Blues for the 24th time. </p>
<p id="mVxVOE">This game must serve as a wake up call for Everton. They were dreadful at Stamford Bridge and equally as terrible today. Spurs made us look like a very poor side and there was a lot to be concerned about. Most Evertonians were worried about our lack of firepower but it was the abysmal defensive performance that raised some serious question marks today. A defence that has looked relatively solid in the early stages of this season was systematically dismantled by Spurs today. Add that to the fact we literally have no real threat up front and this could just be the start of our problems. </p>
<p id="QE29h1">Dominic Calvert-Lewin runs his socks off to his credit but unfortunately metres run and heat maps don’t win football matches and the lad just doesn’t seem to have that strikers instinct to score us even 10 goals this season. Sandro Ramirez is really struggling to adjust to life in England and has yet to show any of the promise from his Malaga performances last season. Buying three number 10’s and no strikers makes absolutely no sense and that has been proved in the last couple of games as Gylfi Sigurdsson, Rooney and Davy Klaassen have looked lost and confused in the final third.</p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Everton v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/8FRpg7xNyg9Td-l4_F7ha0FlLGc=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/9209585/844897280.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images</cite>
</figure>
<p id="wm6LCC">The two-month-long pursuit of Sigurdsson for me took too much focus off the dire need for a quality replacement for Lukaku. Losing nearly 30 goals and not replacing them is criminal and is already beginning to hit us hard. Also the point of signing Sigurdsson was so he could use his wonderful technical ability to assist a striker. A <span>Christian Benteke</span> or a <span>Jamie Vardy</span> would score 20+ goals with Sigurdsson and Rooney playing behind them and it boggles the mind that Steve Walsh and <span>Ronald Koeman</span> didn’t realise this and allocate a larger chunk of time and funds to getting it done.</p>
<p id="JUIBqb">It could be a blip or the start of something much worse, here’s hoping it’s the former, but without serious tactical changes and a fresh approach, next Sunday’s trip to free-scoring <a href="https://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/">Manchester United</a> could make the <a href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a> and Tottenham games look like fairytales.</p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2017/9/9/16280724/recap-everton-0-3-tottenham-kane-eriksen-pocchetino-koeman-poor-performance-pressure-crisisCalDumbell2017-09-09T16:55:02+01:002017-09-09T16:55:02+01:00Man of the Match and Player Grades Poll for Everton vs Tottenham
<figure>
<img alt="Everton v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/yiaAOpBf9zMThbco6RwXsmg6tFw=/0x0:3032x2021/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56595873/844878854.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Vote on the player performances from today’s game</p> <p id="N6HpZU"><a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> were utterly shambolic in the back and impotent going up front. That usually makes for a long, long afternoon and <a href="https://cartilagefreecaptain.sbnation.com/">Tottenham Hotspur</a> duly obliged, happy to get away from their personal demons at Wembley. </p>
<p id="LGc55p">Two hours ago it looked like this lineup would be half decent, but we were so wrong. </p>
<p id="HBo89P"><strong>Starting XI </strong>- Pickford, Martina, Keane, Williams, Baines; Schneiderlin, Gueye; Sigurdsson, Rooney, Klaassen; Sandro Ramirez</p>
<p id="LcRPLj"><strong>Bench</strong> - Stekelenburg, Jagielka, Holgate, Davies, Mirallas, Vlasic, Calvert-Lewin</p>
<p id="gPUO4a">There were few spells in the first half when Everton controlled the ball, passed it around well and even looked like coming close to scoring. But it was the visitors who really dominated this right from the outset, passing the ball well, using the full width of the pitch and eventually getting the deserved goals. </p>
<p id="OpvRS2">The Everton defence was terrible today though, and the decision to go back to a four-man backline will come back to haunt Ronald Koeman. By the time he made the change at the break to get some young legs on there was already a mountain to climb. That became even steeper when within seconds of resumption and another piece of comical bumbling in the box had them three down, and the game well and truly over. </p>
<p id="Qm0i1Q"><em>If this poll is not showing up on your screen, please </em><a href="https://goo.gl/forms/CB40x8t8DR6vQC8p1"><em>click here</em></a><em> to go and grade the players - we apologize for the inconvenience.</em></p>
<div id="ADMJwp"><iframe src="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeBf1zPmpg-B8lAOgIaZEa1FpOzSoAdGcezvmBqz6y0Z0mqFw/viewform?embedded=true" width="100%" height="700" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0">Loading...</iframe></div>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2017/9/9/16280482/man-of-the-match-player-grades-poll-everton-vs-tottenham-no-one-deserved-it-all-very-badCalvin2017-09-09T16:52:24+01:002017-09-09T16:52:24+01:00Tottenham 3-0 Everton: Why?
<figure>
<img alt="Everton v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/f6TBHkKbKLLyYy8boWztdmotiPk=/1x0:3829x2552/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56595953/844868358.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Listless, lifeless, ludicrous. </p> <p id="VEGzzw"><a href="https://cartilagefreecaptain.sbnation.com/">Tottenham Hotspur</a> defeated <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> at Goodison today by a 3-0 score. <span>Harry Kane</span> scored twice, and <span>Christian Eriksen</span> also netted for the visitors. It was a terrible football match. </p>
<ul>
<li id="kWGwGD">On paper, Everton’s lineup looked ready to attack Spurs. In functionality, they couldn’t do anything of the sort. </li>
<li id="lVeala">Without Dominic Calvert-Lewin, the Blues were unable to pin back Spurs’ wide defenders, which meant <span>Ben Davies</span> and <span>Kieran Trippier</span> had free rein to attack. </li>
<li id="qQYFIt">While Harry Kane’s opening goal was a bit of a fluke, <span>Jordan Pickford</span> should have done better. Pickford takes a step towards Kane on the intended cross and gets caught out. The ball has a lot of pace on it but there’s a much better chance the goalkeeper gets a hand to it if he’s staying put. </li>
<li id="oR0Jk1">Sandro Ramirez played fairly well, but consistently failed to link up with <span>Wayne Rooney</span>, and neither player offered Cuco Martina any help defensively. </li>
<li id="6dNRr3">Martina had quite a few bright moments, but isolated against one of the best attacks in the league, it was only ever going to end one way. Martina’s failed clearance late in the second half led to Christian Eriksen having an easy finish that made it 2-0. </li>
<li id="M1bD2B">The halftime interval didn’t help. Shortly after the second half opened, Everton’s defenders decided that Kane didn’t need to be marked. 3-0. </li>
<li id="izaTI2">After Kane’s second goal, Everton were completely disinterested in making anything of the match. Koeman inserted three kids to increase the energy levels - Davies, Calvert-Lewin, and Nikola Vlasic - but it was too little, too late. </li>
<li id="x4TuPz">Let’s not mince words - the Toffees are very bad right now. Their opponents have been clinical, but at times only because Everton are offering up chance after chance. </li>
<li id="KuDZOu">There’s certainly a measure of gelling that a squad with this much turnover needs to do, but there’s no excuse for the lack of effort that was shown from way too many players today. </li>
</ul>
<p id="rF8ocy">Unfortunately, it may get worse before it gets better. Atalanta awaits on Thursday, and <a href="https://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/">Manchester United</a> after that. Strap in. </p>
<p id="q2Lbrz"></p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2017/9/9/16280234/tottenham-3-0-everton-final-score-results-harry-kane-christian-eriksen-goals-why-gross-bad-ugly-stopevertonchris2017-09-09T14:15:19+01:002017-09-09T14:15:19+01:00Tottenham at Everton: How To Watch & Gamethread
<figure>
<img alt="Tottenham Hotspur v Everton - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Eofoc-4tDQquzjLdzXeC7DMR6f0=/0x0:5171x3447/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56572333/648221858.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Goodison Park hosts the Toffees’ first Premier League match since the transfer window closed.</p> <p id="dai5Pe">The Premier League returns from the international break on Saturday. For <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a>, the streak of tough matchups to begin the season continues. They host <a href="https://cartilagefreecaptain.sbnation.com/">Tottenham Hotspur</a> at Goodison Park, which has recently been quite kind to the Toffees. They love the home cooking, but the Blues haven’t beaten Spurs in any competition since December 9, 2012. </p>
<div id="h5iluT"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DjPrQrJDsRo?rel=0&" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no"></iframe></div></div>
<h1 id="tj4rzW">Match Details</h1>
<p id="Tn0k5V"><strong>Date and start time:</strong> Saturday, September 9th at 7 a.m. PT / 10 a.m ET / 3 p.m. BST</p>
<p id="jLb1aE"><strong>Stadium:</strong> Goodison Park, <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a>, England</p>
<p id="zsVmIG"><strong>Capacity: </strong>40,157</p>
<p id="jWmOa0"><strong>Weather: </strong>59°F/15°C, partly cloudy, 11% chance of rain, 14 mph winds</p>
<h1 id="NylbZy">How to Watch/Listen</h1>
<p id="ZqDVb5"><strong>TV:</strong> CNBC - <em>United States</em><em>; </em>none<em> - </em> <em>United Kingdom</em></p>
<p id="mGBAfE"><strong>Radio: </strong>Everton Match Centre, BBC Radio 5, TalkSport, Spurs Live Match Centre</p>
<p id="RIzcMT"><strong>Live stream:</strong><strong> </strong>evertontv, fuboTV, NBC Sports Live Extra</p>
<p id="eB2O1I"><a href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/match/2502758/everton-vs-tottenham-hotspur/">Information from LiveSoccerTV.com</a></p>
<h1 id="k6zWnV">Lineups</h1>
<h3 id="Zz6RPN">Everton</h3>
<p id="HBo89P"><strong>Starting XI </strong>- Pickford, Martina, Keane, Williams, Baines; Schneiderlin, Gueye; Sigurdsson, Rooney, Klaassen; Sandro Ramirez</p>
<p id="sCVCti"><strong>Bench</strong> - Stekelenburg, Jagielka, Holgate, Davies, Mirallas, Vlasic, Calvert-Lewin</p>
<h3 id="xY65uV">Spurs</h3>
<p id="n1FsMV"><strong>Starting XI </strong>- Lloris, Trippier, Alderweireld, Sanchez, Vertonghen, Davies, Dier, Sissoko, Eriksen, Dele, Kane.</p>
<p id="cQhrSG"><strong>Bench </strong>- Vorm, Aurier, Walker-Peters, Dembele, Winks, Son, Llorente</p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2017/9/9/16267878/everton-tottenham-hotspur-start-time-lineups-tv-schedule-live-stream-and-how-to-watch-online_TyYoung