Dominic Calvert-Lewin heads Everton to impressive victory over sluggish Spurs
by Jason Burt, Chief Football Correspondent , Greg Wilcox
For an opening fixture of the Premier League season this was some statement: a declaration from Everton that they believe they can – finally – be a ‘Top Six’ side again and a pitiful capitulation from Tottenham Hotspur who looked like a team bereft of ideas and, worryingly, belief.
Three new signings for Everton simply transformed them and there were remarkable debuts in midfield for Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure and a sublimely classy performance from James Rodriguez. On the ball, the 29-year-old was mesmeric with his balance, control and range of passing and if Everton can continue to accommodate him then it truly can be exciting times. He oozed comfort on the ball, positivity and a sense of belonging.
Having lost his way at Real Madrid, Rodriguez just looked liberated. Inside the empty Tottenham Hotspur Stadium it was his name that could be heard the most with team-mates calling ‘James’ as they wanted him on the ball and wanted him to deliver it also. By the end of the first half – in one of those statistical quirks - every one of his team-mates had passed to him, which is unusual.
At last Everton have a go-to man and, by the final whistle, Rodriguez had created five chances – the most on a Premier League debut since Alexis Sanchez, for Arsenal, in 2014, and had been substituted to Ancelotti’s warm congratulations.
After all the money spent, and wasted, in the years of Farhad Moshiri’s ownership, and the managers hired and fired and the changes in direction and approach, then if this is a new-look Everton it has made the most appealing of starts even if it was a player Ancelotti has inherited who claimed the only goal.
The manager’s faith in Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been unstinting since he took over and it was rewarded as the striker rose, in between the static Spurs centre-halves Toby Alderweireld and Eric Dier, to power home a header from a free-kick from Lucas Digne early in the second half.
It was the least that Everton deserved as they spurned chances – not least through the otherwise relentless Richarlison - created by their dominance, with Mourinho having the gall to complain about the free-kick being taken in the wrong position as he called out referee Martin Atkinson. “But I didn’t like my team,” he said. No one did, Jose, no one did.
And so it was the first time, in what was the 19th such match, that Mourinho has lost an opening day game in the league and these suddenly again feel like concerning times for him and Spurs, and with Harry Kane looking tired, frustrated and isolated and his team lacking in purpose. The forward only touched the ball twice in the Everton penalty area while those behind him simply lacked creativity and drive and Son Heung-min faded after a bright opening.
In truth, the visitors simply appeared to want it more and were better-organised and more positive which is an indictment of Spurs and Mourinho who unsurprisingly accused his players of “lazy pressure” in trying to win the ball back. In that “All or Nothing” documentary by Amazon Prime when Mourinho told the Spurs players to play like ‘c----‘ this is surely not what he meant? On this evidence if there is one team to be in the 'Top Six' then it is emphatically not going to be Spurs.
At half-time, Mourinho was even moved to take off Dele Alli and change his team’s shape to match Everton because Spurs could not cope with Rodriguez's cleverness on the ball, and when he analyses this game he will ponder on the fact that his new players – Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and, to a lesser extent, Matt Doherty - were as disappointing as the visitors’ new boys were impressive.
There were two fine saves by Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford in the opening 45 minutes but it really should have been Everton who were ahead. There was, quite frankly, an horrendous miss by Richarlison who made the opportunity with his blistering pace as he out-stripped Aldeweireld to intercept a wildly loose cross-field pass by Ben Davies. Suddenly he was through on goal, rounded Hugo Lloris… only to screw his shot high and wide and with Calvert-Lewin waiting unmarked in the centre for a tap in. On the touchline, Ancelotti had his head in his hands.
Against that Spurs went close when they broke quickly from an Everton corner with Son slipping the ball to Alli whose rising shot was pushed over by Pickford. The England goalkeeper made an even more impressive block when Doherty combined with Kane and with the latter scooping a smart ball over the Everton defence. Doherty met it on the half-volley but Pickford diverted it away with his out-stretched right leg.
But that gave a false impression. From the first whistle it was Everton who imposed themselves with Rodriguez stationed on the right of the 4-3-3 but coming inside on his left foot to switch play. He may not track back – with Everton relieved to have the diligent Seamus Coleman behind him - but he went close with a curling shot. Rodriguez’s best work was in delivering opportunities for his team-mates and not least with a wonderfully flighted cross for Richarlison which caught out Doherty, with the Brazilian heading wastefully wide.
In midfield, Allan, in particular, was irrepressible with his determination to win the ball back, recycle and start again while – at last – Yerry Mina looked like a leader in defence and was maybe attempting to impress his Colombian international team-mate, Rodriguez. If so, it also worked.
Everton spurned more openings: Rodriguez dragged a shot from Richarlison’s cut back and then twice Richarlison shifted the ball onto his right foot only to curl it narrowly past the post with Lloris beaten. Would Everton pay? Despite Spurs eventually dominating possession they created precious little. It was functional, unimaginative, lacking purpose and Mourinho looked helpless. That was a further indictment, while Everton not just had the win but their first victory away at a ‘Top Six’ side in seven years, and at their 41st attempt. That, too, felt like a statement from them.
FULL-TIME:: Spurs 0-1 Everton
Dream start for the new-look Everton. They deserved their win, they looked the sharper, the more composed on the ball and were everything their hosts weren't. SPurs were pretty awful, sluggish , lacklustre and Mourinho looks like a man about to read his players the riot act.
91 mins: Spurs 0-1 Everton
Tom Davies comes on for Rodríguez - the Colombian has been brilliant, he has been different class on the ball and the early signs are that he could be an inspired signing from Ancelotti.
90 mins: Spurs 0-1 Everton
Allan has been named man of the match - the new boy has looked solid all game, he's done the dirty work and been key to Everton's midfield dominance.
87 mins: Spurs 0-1 Everton
Moise Kean comes on for the Everton goalscorer Calvert-Lewin, who has had a fine game - he got the goal and has been a good outlet for the visitors all afternoon.
83 mins: Spurs 0-1 Everton
Doucoure slides in Calvert-Lewin and the Everton striker fires low to force Lloris into the save. Everton still look like the only side likely to score.
81 mins: Spurs 0-1 Everton
Kane, who's looked frustrated all match, beats Keane in the air but sees his header loop into the arms of Pickford. That sums up his afternoon so far.
79 mins: Spurs 0-1 Everton
This is a huge 15 minutes for Everton. They haven't beaten a top-six side away from home in their last 40 attempts....
Down and out?
75 mins: Spurs 0-1 Everton
Ndombele comes on for debut boy Doherty. Can the Frenchman provide Spurs with some much-needed spark?
73 mins: Spurs 0-1 Everton
Coleman volleys from 25 yards out forcing Lloris into a save. I cannot see how SPurs get back into this match - they look lifeless at the moment.
71 mins: Spurs 0-1 Everton
It's deja vu all over again as Richarlison is again allowed to come inside and get a shot it - again it goes just wide. Everton should be 2-0 up by now.
68 mins: Spurs 0-1 Everton
Richarlison comes in off the left flank and fires just wide - once again Everton are looking by far the better side and more likely to score. Since the break they've looked sharp, while Spurs look lifeless.
66 mins: Spurs 0-1 Everton
Sigurdsson comes on for Gomes as Everton look to protect their lead. The Spurs response to the Everton goal as been, to put it mildly, very poor....
63 mins: Spurs 0-1 Everton
Calvert-Lewin runs at the Spurs defence but cannot get a shot away, the visitors look more purposeful and Spurs look very flat at the moment, they are letting Everton keep the ball without any pressure, there's no press. The Spurs midfield are unable to keep the ball and unable to get it back.
Classic Dom
Dominic Calvert-Lewin leaps high to head Everton into the lead.
59 mins: Spurs 0-1 Everton
Spurs are struggling to create anything this half, Everton are dominating possession and look the better side by some distance at the moment.
54 mins: Spurs 0-1 Everton
Mourinho's having a moan as he feels Digne stole a few yards on the free-kick but he can have no arguments,the set piece was miles out and the Spurs defence should have done much better.
GOAL! Spurs 0-1 Everton
It's been coming - it's a great header from Calvert- Lewin meets a brilliant free-kick from Digne to give Lloris no chance in the Spurs goal. The Everton striker got up early and beat Dier to ball to power home a fine header. It's Calvert-Lewin's first goal since March and well deserved for the visitors.
52 mins: Spurs 0-0 Everton
Everton have started well in the second period - you feel they have a good chance to beat Spurs for the first time since 2012. They look more menacing than the hosts and more solid as well.
49 mins: Spurs 0-0 Everton
Good chance is wasted by Rodríguez - Calvert Lewin plays the Colombian in and the former Real Madrid man fails to fit the target from 10 yards out. He then tries to make amends with a delightful cross only to see Richarlison head wide.
47 mins: Spurs 0-0 Everton
An early corner for the hosts after Keane heads into touch. The set piece is poorly delivered and Mourinho looks annoyed.
45 mins: Spurs 0-0 Everton
Ancelotti will have been the happier of the two coaches at the break - his Everton side looked composed on the ball and had the better of a cagey first-half. Sissoko is on for Alli for Spurs, the Blues dominated midfield and it's clear Mourinho wants another body in the middle of the park.
HALF-TIME: Spurs 0-0 Everton
The Spurs full-backs - Davies and Doherty - are getting forward more often and the hosts are looking more potent because of it. The half comes to an end and you suspect both managers will be happy to come in with their defences little troubled but looking to see more creativity from their teams in the final third after the break.
43 mins: Spurs 0-0 Everton
Richarlison shoot from outside the box and Lloris makes a good save. Everton's Brazilian attacker has looked lively and is their biggest threat so far.
39 mins: Spurs 0-0 Everton
Great chance of a debut goal for Doherty. The Spurs full-back is played in by Kane and he shoots low, forcing Pickford into a good save. The Everton keeper is under pressure but he's had a good game so far.
Alli forces Pickford save
35 mins: Spurs 0-0 Everton
James Rodriguez is looking influential, picking up good positions and he cuts in from the right before firing in a left-footed shot that just goes wide. Encouraging signs for the visitors and their new star signing.
Chance for Kane
31 mins: Spurs 0-0 Everton
Dele Alli forces a good save from Pickford having been played in on the run from Son. Kane is annoyed that his run didn't result in the ball being played to him. The England striker looks frustrated.
29 mins: Spurs 0-0 Everton
Richarlison cuts in from the left flank and fires in a shot which is deflected for a corner. From the resulting set piece Spurs clear their lines. Everton stay in the hosts' final third and win another corner. Eric Drier heads the ball clear. Everton are looking good at the moment.
25 mins: Spurs 0-0 Everton
The ball lands at the feet of Son and his shot is blocked by the Seamus Coleman. After a gagey start the match is opening up.
22 mins: Spurs 0-0 Everton
Chance for the hosts - Son plays the ball into the back post and Harry Kane dives in but is unable to get the all-important touch to guide the ball into the net. At last some encouragement for Spurs.
Should Richarlison have scored?
19 mins: Spurs 0-0 Everton
We're yet to see Spurs as an attacking force, they're keeping their shape well but Everton are dominating possession.
15 mins: Spurs 0-0 Everton
What a great chance for Everton! A slack pass from Ben Davies is latched onto by Richarlison. He rounds Hugo Lloris but fires over the bar from an angle. It wasn't an easy opening but he should have scored and a goal would have been exactly what the Blues deserved after the opening 15 minutes.
Looking on
11 mins: Spurs 0-0 Everton
The visitors have dominated the early stages but are yet to have a shot on goal - they'll being looking to penetrate the Spurs backline which has looked solid so far.
9 mins: Spurs 0-0 Everton
Allan is sitting deep at them moment playing simple passes, doing the hard yards and dirty work - the kind of player Everton lacked last year.
5 mins: Spurs 0-0 Everton
Everton have not beaten Spurs since 2012, but they have started well. They new signings look good on the ball and while they haven't created anything so far the early signs are good for the Blues.
2 mins: Spurs 0-0 Everton
Son tries his luck from 30 yards out. It's straight at Pickford and the England keeper, under pressure to prove himself, calmly collects.
1 min: Spurs 0-0 Everton
After both sides take the knee to show their support for Black Lives Matter we're off.
Carlo comments
Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti on...
His new signings...
They are good, playing well and I hope they are going to show their best qualities.
Marquee signing James Rodriguez...
He is excited to play, he won’t be 100 per cent but he can show his quality and with his quality we can be better.
Looking into our crystal ball...
Here's where our very own Sam Wallace thinks both will finish in May..
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR - SIXTH: A question of whether Mourinho’s players are prepared to submit to his approach and be the b------- he wants them to be. Again, the old questions over the reliance on Kane and Son. A clearer picture once the transfer window work is finally done.
EVERTON - NINTH: So many players – but are they actually the right ones? Ancelotti’s experience is reassuring although it is hard to find much else to hang your hat on. Is James Rodriguez the man to give this Everton side a personality they have lacked for so long?
Can Dele deliver?
There's no doubting Dele Alli's ability but the midfielder is under pressure after what was a poor season for the England man - his form mirroring that of his club.
Out to make an instant impression
Five new signings start today. Matt Doherty and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg are included in Tottenham's starting XI. Everton include their three major new additions - attacking midfielder James Rodriguez, Brazil midfielder Allan and French midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure.
Everton team news
Spurs team news
Classy coaches
A meeting of two managerial heavyweights - five Champions League titles between them - and the pressure is on both of them after last season.
Jose Mourinho loves the spotlight and after ‘starring’ in the Amazon documentary during the break he can now prove to sceptical Spurs fans that he is the man to bring trophies to the club. Not much has changed in the past seven weeks - the side is still looking for a striker to provide back-up to Harry Kane, and fans are still upset at what they perceive to be a lack of transfer business.
Mourinho has been brought in to transform Tottenham from nearly-men into winners and the club is desperate for any type of silverware. The Premier League title will be beyond them, but Mourinho will hope to progress in the cups after last season which, for many, even the glass-half-full types, was hugely underwhelming.
Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti has set his players the minimum target of qualifying for Europe this season. The Italian saw his side limp to 12th last season - their worst finish since coming 17th in 2004 - thanks in no small part to just three wins from their final 12 matches. New signings James Rodriguez, Allan, and Ousmane Doucoure illustrate the ambition at Goodison Park and Ancelotti has let it be known what the target is this campaign.
"I think that the goal we want to achieve is to fight for the first positions of the Premier League to be able to reach Europe next season. The goal is quite clear," he said.
"We have this desire, this ambition. I think we can.”
Neither side will want a slow start to the new season - the pressure is very much on for both celebrated coaches.