Royal Blue Mersey - Everton vs. Tottenham: Premier League Matchday 16It's a grand old team to supporthttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52544/royal_fav.png2012-12-11T08:58:40+00:00http://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/rss/stream/35073472012-12-11T08:58:40+00:002012-12-11T08:58:40+00:00Tactically Speaking: More than the 88 Seconds
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<figcaption>Stu Forster</figcaption>
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<p>All the tactics that led up to the 88 seconds that changed Everton's world.</p> <p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There have been a number of games this year where tactics haven’t been the motivating factor. These pieces have become a bit of a broken record. Played pretty well, bad breaks, didn’t execute, blahblahblah, stay the course, blahblahblah. So it’s a delight for me to write one of these pieces where tactics weren’t the central story line, but in a good way. Sunday may have been the first game all year when a neutral observer could argue that Everton got more than they deserved given the rhythms of the game. That said, there are a couple of things to break down, starting with team selection and ending with the glorious 88 seconds that put Everton back in a top four spot.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">This was the first time all year that Everton started their best offensive unit. Moyes definitely made the right choice selecting Coleman, as once again he and Mirallas combined electrically down the right side until Mirallas was forced (again!) to come off at the half. Mirallas’s really does change how the whole team operates. It’s pretty clear from the difference between the first and second half player influences that his presence helps everybody, even Baines and Pienaar all the way on the opposite flank get more involved. His speed and trickery sucks players in, and gives everybody else more space to work. That’s especially true when Coleman is supporting him, which means Mirallas is freed from the responsibility of providing width in the attack. Except for those 88 seconds, Everton’s best form was clearly in the first half.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">The right sided attack was so important because for most of the game both sides did a marvelous defensive job taking away the other’s offensive first options. On Everton’s left, Baines and Pienaar were largely able to nullify Aaron Lennon. He only played 17 passes (all of them short) and managed to pump in just 3 unsuccessful crosses.</p>
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<p>Lennon to his credit, worked hard defensively to minimize the Everton threat on that flank as well. While he has never been known as a particularly interested defender, that part of his game has grown leaps and bounds at Spurs this year, with their manager singling him out for praise on several occasions. It’s not an accident that Pienaar played a largely anonymous game for the first 89 minutes, and that his goal came after Lennon had been removed.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">And in the midfield Spurs were the first team all year that seemed quite comfortable handling Fellaini. The big Belgian still received the ball 52 times, but only two of those receptions happened in the penalty area. They then closed down Fellaini’s passing options, and made him try to create with his feet. As we’ve seen in past years, pin point passing control is one of the few things Fellaini doesn’t do well, and consequently he finished with a decidedly mediocre 68% pass completion percentage, and only barely topped 50% on his passes in the final third (16/30) and forward passes (12/23).</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">It will be interesting to see if other teams try to emulate this strategy in the future. Although I suspect that is easier said than done, as most other teams won’t have Sandro to unleash. Going up against the Brazilian destroyer may be the tallest task that Fellaini faces all year. So, I’m going to have to see some more evidence before I start to worry. Sandro is very very very good, and might have the best combination of athleticism, aggression, tackling technique and positioning acumen of any defensive midfielder playing in the EPL at the moment. I think we can give Marouane a pass on this one.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Sandro wasn’t the only defensive midfielder to play an awesome game though. Darron Gibson was flat out ridiculously good (again!). Defensively, he had two tackles and two interceptions, but even more importantly he completely shut Emmanuel Adebayor out of the game. Ade, who when playing alongside Defoe for Spurs, is generally tasked with the playmaking role, didn’t have a shot, and didn’t create a single chance. As you can see from where he received his passes, a lot of the time he was dropping into the midfield where he would be Gibson’s responsibility. But after all those touches he was just never able to turn and play a killer pass or find room to get a shot off. He completed 9/15 forward passes, but as the chart shows only one of them was even into the area.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">And offensively Gibson was equally as impressive. In what was largely a well-played but defensive game, Gibson’s passing stood out. His ability to distribute the ball all over the field is unparalleled on Everton’s roster. And at times, especially in the second half he seemed to be the only player keeping the offense ticking. And it’s not just the completion percentage. 92% is nice, but it’s a number that Phil Neville would put up as well. The difference is that over half of Gibson’s completions (25/48) went into the attacking third. He completed 11 of his 14 long attempts and only played the ball backwards a total of 10 times. The combination of aggressive passing and accuracy is a huge cog in Everton’s attack, and it's importance just can't be overstated.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">And now we get to the goals. The irony of the goals is that they came more or less against the run of play. If you look at the player influence from the 75-90 minutes you can see that the majority of the action took place with Vertonghen, Dempsey and Adebayor combating Coleman, Jagielka and Gibson on Everton’s half of the field (the only time Adebayor was at all involved in the game was when Everton brought Vellios on for Osman leaving only one central midfielder). And while Spurs for a spell actually looked more likely to get a second with sub Gylfi Siggurdson hitting a gorgeous curling striker square of the cross bar, those attacks left space in behind Vertonghen for Coleman to exploit. On the flip side, I’m not even sure who was supposed to be tracking Pienaar’s run. Spurs midfield positioning became quite muddled as AVB brought on Huddleston for Lennon, Siggurdson for Dembele and Falque for Defoe. While AVB was attempting to gain control of the midfield and retain possession and run out the clock, he left Spurs without a clear understanding of their defensive responsibilities and nobody tracked Pienaar.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">The second goal was a lot simpler, and eerily reminiscent of the late goal that Everton gave up to Newcastle earlier this year. Two big physical strikers get marked up one on one against defenders who are unable to handle them. It’s definitely a bit of kind luck that Vellios pass/shot/overhead prayer/whatever ended up in Jelavic’s path, but at the same time it’s a testament to Jelavic that he was sharp enough, and had enough energy left after 90 minutes to get on the end of it.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">So there we have it. 88 seconds that were 90 minutes in the making. And in the course of a season it’s difficult to imagine a more important six point swing. Instead of our Champion’s League hopes being all but dead, six points adrift and sitting in 7<sup>th</sup> (but also tied for points with 8<sup>th</sup> place Swansea and 9<sup>th</sup> place Stoke), we’re now in 4<sup>th</sup> on goal differential, ahead of a Spurs team we just beat and an all of a sudden struggling West Brom on goal difference. Nice way to start off the holiday season.</p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2012/12/11/3753928/everton-v-spurs-tactical-anaysis-this-is-new-and-i-like-itMike_L_Goodman2012-12-10T01:04:14+00:002012-12-10T01:04:14+00:00Match Report: Hope You Didn't Leave Early!
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<figcaption>lol #28 | Stu Forster</figcaption>
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<p>In the span of two minutes, Everton went from ninth place (and a single point above our neighbors whom we've mocked all year) to a place in the top four. How did they do it? Actually, I'm not entirely sure but I do know that it was pretty freaking awesome.</p> <p>A little something to enjoy while you peruse the match report:<br><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/jDE0hYwc-A0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br><i>First Half</i></p>
<p>- The match started out as a lively affair but with little in the way of clear-cut chances. One of the many Belgians on display, Spurs midfielder <span>Moussa Dembele</span>, tried his luck from distance but saw his shot caught comfortably by <span>Tim Howard</span>. Everton then made some noise when Nikica Jelavic did well to stay onside, but <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110228/hugo-lloris">Hugo Lloris</a> timed his sliding tackle to perfection to block the ball out of play.</p>
<p>- <span>Clint Dempsey</span> emerged as the the focal point of Tottenham's attack, as <span>Jermain Defoe</span> was very quiet for the majority of the match. Dempsey took advantage of a rather naive bit of passing between Howard and <span>Leon Osman</span> to earn a free kick in an advantageous position, but Deuce's effort was lacking in velocity and failed to trouble the keeper.</p>
<p>- Everton were playing some quality football, with the disclaimer that they were finding it impossible to make anything happen in the final third. <span>Kevin Mirallas</span> broke free of the defense down the right and looked likely to pick out Jelavic who was well-positioned in front of goal, but the pass lacked accuracy and <span>William Gallas</span> was able to awkwardly clear the danger. <span>Leighton Baines</span> and <span>Marouane Fellaini</span> then played a crisp move that freed up some space for Osman in the box, but his shot was always curving in the wrong direction.</p>
<p>- Of course, we had to get in our weekly penalty shout as first Dempsey and then Gallas looked like they had surely handled the ball inside the box. However, the replays clearly showed that both players made contact with the ball in the shoulder/chest area. I have to admit, I'm getting a little tired of our fans bemoaning a penalty decision every single week. Sure, several of them have been warranted, but it seems like the string of questionable calls going against us has caused some fans to start seeing every decision through blue-tinted glasses.</p>
<p>- Osman had one more superb chance before the break, but his shot was blocked heroically by <span>Steven Caulker</span>. Lloris breathed a sigh of relief, as it would have been a very difficult save to pull off had Caulker not gotten in the way of the shot.</p>
<p><i>Second Half</i></p>
<p>- The first half was effectively a stalemate between two evenly matched teams, and for most of the second half it was more of the same. A foolish foul committed by Sandro set up Baines to try his luck on a free kick, and after his initial shot was blocked the rebound found its way to <span>Steven Naismith</span> in front of goal. The substitute had replaced Mirallas who had gone off at halftime after possibly re-aggravating his hamstring problem, but Naismith couldn't react in time to direct the ball on target. A really terrific chance gone begging.</p>
<p>- Spurs were not without their own opportunities to take the lead, however. A shot by Sandro was deflected perilously wide of Howard's goal, and <span>Jan Vertonghen</span> unleashed a vicious rocket of a free kick that Howard did very well to push over the top of the crossbar. On the other end of the pitch, the ball kept finding its way to Osman for the best chances but he kept wasting them. First, he went reasonably close after the effective Baines-Pienaar combo teed him up on the edge of the penalty area, but the shot failed to hit the target. Later, yet another chance for Osman was saved by Lloris.</p>
<p>- With the result still hanging in the balance, disaster struck with fifteen minutes to go. It didn't seem like Dempsey posed much of a threat from where he took his shot and <span>Sylvain Distin</span> looked to have the situation under control, but when Dempsey's effort took the slightest of deflections off of the Everton defender it was enough to leave Howard stranded. The shot blooped agonizingly over the questionably positioned keeper, and just like that Spurs had a lead they probably didn't deserve.</p>
<p>- Gylfi Sigurdsson then nearly secured the points for Tottenham with minutes to go, but luckily for Everton his shot struck the woodwork.</p>
<p>- With time disappearing and Spurs parking the bus, hope was dwindling from Goodison Park at an alarming rate. But seconds before the ninety minutes were up, <span>Steven Pienaar</span> (who along with Baines had been excellent all day) managed to scrounge up a priceless equalizer. Full credit should go to another player who had a terrific game, <span>Seamus Coleman</span>, for a perfectly weighted cross that was placed in just the right spot for Pienaar to head past Lloris. It looked like <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton's</a> run of draws was going to continue for another week.</p>
<p>- But there was to be one final twist in the tale, and for once it wasn't going to be Everton's opponents who would be the benefactors. <span>Darron Gibson</span>, receiving the ball on the right side from a throw-in, bent a dangerous cross into the box that found substitute Apostolos Vellios. Though I'm not convinced it was his intention, Vellios played an absolutely sublime bicycle pass for a streaking Jelavic, who stayed onside and guided the ball past Lloris for the winner. No words.</p>
<p><i>Player Ratings</i></p>
<p>(in order of performance)</p>
<p>Pienaar 8 (<b>MOTM</b>), Coleman 8, Jelavic 8, Gibson 7.5, Baines 7, Vellios (81) 7, Distin 6.5, Jagielka 6.5, Mirallas 6, Fellaini 6, Osman 6, Naismith (45) 6, Howard 5.5, Heitinga (90) n/a</p>
<p>It might still be December, but the importance of this game cannot be overstated. As we've been alluding to throughout the week, the top half of the table is ridiculously tight right now. With everyone jockeying for position as the busy Christmas period approaches, beating the teams around you in the table is going to be invaluable, especially against teams like Tottenham. They might not have played particularly well today, but there is no doubt that Spurs have a very good side and are surely going to be right in the thick of the race at the end of the year.</p>
<p>Was today's game a season definer? We won't know until the end of the year, but the result sure beats the alternative. Since I'm finding it hard to find the words to adequately describe just how much this match meant to Everton and to their season, I think I'll leave you with another video clip:<br><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/VDRrjFjJ9fI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br>I'd say that sums up this game pretty well. This works too:</p>
<p><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1854283/EVRTOT120912.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Evrtot120912_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1854283/EVRTOT120912_medium.jpg"></a> <br id="1355095878166"></p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2012/12/10/3747778/game-16-match-report-everton-2-1-tottenham-hotspurseanathan2012-12-08T19:03:36+00:002012-12-08T19:03:36+00:00Talking Spurs with CFC
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<figcaption>Clive Brunskill</figcaption>
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<p>Somehow I am friends with one of the CFC writers, and we decided to get together and talk shop about tomorrows match. This is our conversation.</p> <p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; font-family: Arial,Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><b>Lennon's Eyebrow: So, Brian, you started the season really well, but you've only won one match in the last nine. Baines and Pienaar haven't done anything in a while and Jelavic only scores against bottom feeders. Frollaini is the only guy keeping you going, and he'll leave for a real team any day now. </b></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; font-family: Arial,Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><b>Why is <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> so lousy? Did Moyes finally realize it wasn't January?</b></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; font-family: Arial,Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Brian_Goodison: I think the real reason Everton has struggled is because they don't have any Olympic divers in the squad. We rose up in the standings by shocking everyone, but now the Olympians are regaining their normal place at the top. When <span>Phil Neville</span> is trying to place in diving, you know your team has problems.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; font-family: Arial,Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">My real question is when did Spurs become so Communist? I mean, I know CFC has a resident Communist in "Bryan A.", but it seems like the whole fanbase has gotten in on the act. First you guys try to run Friedel out of town by acting as though Lloris is your savior (the guy is French and shouldn't be trusted to defend anything). Next y'all jump on Dempsey after 13 games. The real Americans here are going to remember that when Dempsey saves your season this year.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; font-family: Arial,Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><b>LE: <span>Gareth Bale</span> is a scapegoat of the FA's vendetta against foreigners. If he was English instead of Welsh, he'd get a medal for bravery. Instead he is vilified by the same monsters who make violent criminals like <span>Steven Gerrard</span> their national team captain.</b></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; font-family: Arial,Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><b>And Communist? Please. <span>Brad Friedel</span> is 97 years old. If we were dirty hippie Commies, he'd still be our #1 keeper. Instead, pure ruthless, cold-hearted capitalism has seen him replaced by the newer, younger, and better model. Glorious Lloris is the future.</b></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; font-family: Arial,Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><b>Meanwhile, I read <a href="http://www.royalbluemersey.com/2012/12/6/3733864/darron-gibson-is-all-we-need" style="color: #c8181d!important; text-decoration: initial!important;" target="_blank">your article salivating over Darron Gibson like he's the Irish Zidane.</a> Do you really expect a Man United reject to be the answer to your problems? I guess it makes sense since fellow United reject Neville the Lesser has been your captain for like a decade, but seriously?</b></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; font-family: Arial,Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">BG: You keep telling yourself about the vendetta the FA has, and maybe things will turn out for the better.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; font-family: Arial,Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">As for Gibson, I'd rather put my team's fortunes in the hands of a <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/">Manchester United</a> reject than asking <span>Jermain Defoe</span> and Ade to score goals. Defoe has been doing well this year, but one glass of eggnog too many and his form will go down faster than <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a>. For all the praise Mr. Levy seems to get, even Moyes can find better strikers than him. What gives, and are you actually going to open up that man-purse soon?</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; font-family: Arial,Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><b>LE: Better strikers? Your attack is spearheaded by SPL rejects! Jelavic has scored half as many goals as JD Trouble this year. And <span>Steven Naismith</span>? Don't make me lol.</b></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; font-family: Arial,Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><b>I think Levy's going to let AVB spend a little cash this January to get a passer in the midfield. Who are you looking to buy in January? Is that <a href="http://fourfivetwo.com/2012/11/27/5631/" style="color: #c8181d!important; text-decoration: initial!important;" target="_blank">12 Shades of Blue calendar</a> going to raise enough cash to buy another minor leaguer, or will you have to cash in on Frollaini to make improvements to your bargain basement team?</b></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; font-family: Arial,Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">BG: If you call Naismith a striker than you have to call Fellaini one too. And pictures of <span>Tim Howard's</span> abs will be more than enough to buy some guy no one has ever heard of. Then Moyes turns him into a star and everyone is shocked.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; font-family: Arial,Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">As for Fellaini, I'm kind of hoping our dear friend Roman decides he has to have him and throws 50 million pounds our way. I honestly think Moyes could buy a whole new squad with that much cash.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; font-family: Arial,Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">I'd be surprised if we do anything but buy in January though. Moyes refuses to talk about a new contract until January and there is speculation he is using this leverage to force some pennies out of Bill Kenwright's rear end. It is clenched so tight when talking about money it should be diamonds by this point.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; font-family: Arial,Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">As for y'all's targets, isn't it more realistic to say rumors will circulate about Spurs' interest, Spurs will put in a law bid, the bid will be refused, and Levy will refuse to change the bid until deadline day when Spurs fans just become bitter and jaded?</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; font-family: Arial,Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><b>LE: You're basically right, except it will end with Moyes paying Levy to loan Pineaar to us for a year. We'll give him back later after we don't use him for an entire season.</b></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; font-family: Arial,Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><b>So what do you think about this weekend's game? Can Fellaini do enough against his better Belgian counterparts at Spurs to make the difference? Who are you worried about crapping the bed for y'all and letting Spurs embarrass you in front of your home fan?</b></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; font-family: Arial,Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">BG: The right side of our defense scares the crap out of me. <span>Tony Hibbert</span> and Steve Naismith are likely to form our right side partnership and that just means things will be scary. Thankfully Bale is hurt, but you can really put any fast guy over there to torch us, even Robbie Findley would work. And I would say Fellaini is the better Belgian, and I hope your central defenders put their big boy pants on for this one. The hair will come to play.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; font-family: Arial,Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">For you guys, who is going to become yet another victim at the hands of <span>Leighton Baines</span>? I was so sad when you got rid of my good friend Alan Hutton. He was always good for a few lulz during a match. Oh, and if Mirallas plays, how are you going to deal with two Belgians?</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; font-family: Arial,Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><b>LE: Lucky for you, with Bale hurt and Lennon on the right, we're all out of fast guys. Hopefully Deuce can continue his recent good form, because we definitely need a big game from him.</b></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; font-family: Arial,Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><b>I'd be surprised if Mirallas plays, but even if he does, I fancy our two Belgians over yours any day of the week. We have yet to lose a game with Dembele in the lineup and Vertonghen has been a sexy beast all year.</b></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; font-family: Arial,Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><b>We've come a long way since the days of the Shite Cafu, and i think Kyle Walker is more than a match for Leighton Baines. He's finally settling down and adding some defensive awareness to his bombing runs forward. Baines' only chance to get the best of him is if he hasn't shaved that horrible 'stache of his, he might terrify Walker into submission.</b></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; font-family: Arial,Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><b>Care to make a prediction? Will you continue your Mark Hughesian streak of not winning any games?</b></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; font-family: Arial,Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">BG: We need 3 points, so I'm going for a 2-1 win. Our defense is approaching dumpster fire status so you guys could even play David Moyes' favorite formation, the 4-6-0, and score. I think Fellaini gets at least one goal, and Lloris will learn to fear the Baines free kick.</p>
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<p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; font-family: Arial,Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Is your prediction full of Spurs pessimism or Portugal confidence?</p>
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<p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; font-family: Arial,Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><b>LE: Your prediction is certainly full of something alright. Everton haven't won in forever, and Spurs don't lose with Moose. If only "needing 3 points" had any bearing on the game, I'd say the Toffees stood a chance.</b> <b>I think it'll go 2-1 the other way. </b></p>
<p>A big thanks to Lorber for taking some time out of his nightly crying session to chat with us. As always head over to Cartilage Free Captain to get the latest on all things Spurs</p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2012/12/8/3744048/talking-spurs-with-cfcBrian_Goodison2012-12-08T15:04:22+00:002012-12-08T15:04:22+00:00Preview: Everton entertain 4th placed Tottenham
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<img alt="Wait.. what?! Oh yeah, Pienaar was with the Spurs once upon a time. " src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DgQ5mXaxT4OpCXF3dJkdmK3IChE=/0x32:989x691/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/4627425/136763703.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Wait.. what?! Oh yeah, Pienaar was with the Spurs once upon a time. | Dean Mouhtaropoulos</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>After just one win in their last nine games, all the talk at Everton about a great start should have well and truly disappeared by now. The seven draws have kept them in the loop but the Blues need some wins, now.</p> <p>With just five points separating third- and tenth-place in the Premier League table, the margin for error is very narrow this weekend. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> sit in 6th, with the three teams directly above them just three points ahead. Conversely, a slip-up could see a number of the sides behind them leapfrogging the Blues too.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://cartilagefreecaptain.sbnation.com/">Tottenham</a> have been on a good run of form since their thrashing at the hands of their cross-town rivals <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/">Arsenal</a>. New coach <span>Andre Villas-Boas</span> has his team playing some free-flowing football, and with <span>Jermain Defoe</span> having rediscovered his goalscoring form, they have also been pumping in the goals. However, Spurs will be missing their speedy left winger <span>Gareth Bale</span>, who is reportedly trying out for the Welsh diving team this weekend. All jokes aside though, the Londoners have an excellent midfield pair in <span>Moussa Dembele</span> and Sandro, who provide both bulk and vision to their side.</p>
<p><b>Team News -</b></p>
<p><span>David Moyes</span> dropped a hint that both <span>Kevin Mirallas</span> and <span>Seamus Coleman</span> have 'outside chances' of being fit to play in this game. <span>Phil Neville</span> is still recovering from his knee surgery while <span>Victor Anichebe</span> remains out with his hamstring ailment.</p>
<p>For AVB, centerback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/111410/michael-dawson">Michael Dawson</a> is struggling to regain fitness and could miss the game. Also out are the above-mentioned Bale, <span>Scott Parker</span>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110129/benoit-assou-ekotto">Benoit Assou-Ekotto</a> and <span>Younes Kaboul</span>.</p>
<p><b>Keys To The Game - </b></p>
<p>Everton simply have to start winning more games at home, no matter who the opposition. With Bale missing this game, this is an excellent opportunity for Moyes to exploit his absence down Everton's right. If Mirallas is fit to play even one half, he is capable of causing enough chaos in that time to make starting him worthwhile. <span>Darron Gibson</span> and <span>Leon Osman</span> will be otherwise occupied keeping the Spurs midfield quiet. <span>Steven Pienaar</span> has been on a road to redemption lately, and the Toffees will need another stellar game from him tomorrow. Which leaves striker Nikica Jelavic, whose slump has now extended to eight games with just one goal in that period. He will have to dig deep and find a way to break out of it because Everton's fortunes seem tied to his goals.</p>
<p>For Spurs, they will attempt more of the same from their last few games. AVB has his team playing like the excellent Porto side that he managed a few years ago, and should be an excellent spectacle for the fans at the stadium. He had fielded a strong side on Thursday against Panathanaikos in the Europa League, so it will be interesting to see if he delves into his squad for their visit to Everton. <span>Tom Huddlestone</span> is one player tipped for England team glory but his star has faded in recent years, while <span>Gylfi Sigurdsson</span> has become an important piece of their midfield since his move from <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/swansea-city">Swansea City</a>. <span>Clint Dempsey</span> will be expected to take Bale's spot on the left wing while <span>Aaron Lennon</span> will be on the right.</p>
<p><b>Match Facts - </b></p>
<ul>
<li>Everton's next goal will be their 1,000th scored in the Premier League, the seventh side to do so. </li>
<li>However, they have also conceded 998 goals, and are two away from that millenial mark.</li>
<li>The Blues have won, four, drawn nine and lost seven of their last twenty against Spurs. </li>
<li>There hasn't been an away winner in these contests since Everton in November 2008. </li>
<li>Spurs have scored 43% of their 15 away goals between the 70th and 80th minute. </li>
<li>However, they are yet to score a goal after the 80th minute in the Premier League this season. <br>
</li>
</ul>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2012/12/8/3743078/everton-vs-tottenham-match-previewCalvin