LIVE
MERSEYSIDE – After over one-hundred minutes of play, Everton and Tottenham were like-for-like throughout their match, with neither being able to score.
Everton dominated the first half with a vast majority of the chances. In spite of this, it remained goalless.
Spurs had a big penalty shout in the first half as Jan Vertonghen went down, but the referee waved it off.
Hugo Lloris’ head injury resulted in nine minutes of stoppage time, although the French keeper would play on.
A draw could be justified due to close penalty calls and neither team did enough to win.
Everton got the proceedings underway upon kick-off, and started positively as they passed around to get a feel of the game, experimenting by sending a few long balls up to Lukaku – already looking to pose an early threat.
On the other end of the park, Sandro had an early chance in the third minute with his long range shot prompting a save from Tim Howard. The corner came to nothing. A minute after, his teammate, Andros Townsend, had a shot from around the same position. This time though, Howard was not called into action as it went wide.
Tottenham were looking promising with plenty of play in the attacking half, Vertonghen managed to orchestrate a lovely piece of play but fortunately for the Toffees, there was only one attacker in the box. Aaron Lennon’s cross almost put Roberto Soldado on the scoresheets moments after, but he did not get enough on the header.
The early stages of the game saw Everton take possession in the opening minutes, but Tottenham began to get therir chances and looked progressively dangerous. Everton posed a threat seemingly on the break. Tottenham had various chances that just lacked the final bit of quality.
Andros Towsnend – who had plenty of possession in the first ten minutes – had another shot at goal that was deflected going out for a corner. The play exemplified Tottenham’s prowess outside of the box, awaiting to set up for the shot. Affirmatively cleared, the corner was no danger to the hosts.
Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard received the first booking of the game for protesting a referee decision.
As the game emerged from the proverbial ‘feeling-out process’, the referee became busier following an onslaught of tackles from Everton players in the middle of the park. The hosts were conceding numerous fouls as the players grew frustrated. James McCarthy was booked for fouling Vertonghen in the 18th minute.
After twenty minutes of play, Tottenham were edging it on possession and had six chances compared to Everton’s none. The Toffees were far from their usual, lively selves. But all was even thus far.
Jan Vertonghen, the most productive player of the game to that point, once again found himself down from Everton players. The penalty appeal was waved off from the referee though and Everton built from the back.
To put it into perspective, Lukaku was Everton’s most busiest DEFENDER. That’s saying something.
Everton’s first shot of the game came just before the half-hour mark. Leon Osman’s long range shot went over. On the other end, Tottenham had many, many more.
With the half-time whistle blown, it concluded goalless. It had been all-Tottenham for the majority of the first forty-five. Having much more chances and continuing to pile the pressure on Everton, who had nothing to respond with except their half-chances along with the long balls up to Lukaku. In spite of both team’s performances, it was goalless.
The sun was shining bright on Goodison Park when Tottenham resumed play. Tottenham began to pick up a few chances early on with Holtby’s shot getting blocked. The passes up to Lukaku looked like they were also posing a bigger threat this time round.
Goodison Park was at its loudest when Lukaku picked up the ball in the midfield and it was a 3-on-2 situation. Lukaku passed it to Mirallas, but he was tackled in the box. It had to be an inch-perfect challenge, and it was.
It was much more evenly-poised as the second half started, Everton were beginning to have a much louder say in the game in terms of chances.
There was a huge call for the penalty shout in the 66th minute when Coleman was about to take a shot in the box. Vertonghen clipped him but he stayed up and shot. The home fans were protesting wildly. Should have been a penalty for sure.
With fifteen minutes remaining of the game, both teams were fighting to steal the three points late. Tottenham were looking more threatening, although Everton were ever-present in scoring on the break. Would anyone break the deadlock?
Hugo Lloris picked up an injury and was set to be replaced from Hugo Lloris. However, Lloris wanted to play again, but doctors were advising against after his head collided with Lukaku’s foot. After some speculation, along with Friedel awaiting on the touchline, Lloris came back on to play.
Everton came closer when one player managed to run through four Tottenham defenders. Lloris hurried off his line to save.
The game was far from over when it reached the 90th minute. Nine minutes of stoppage time were added.
And in those nine minutes, the teams came close, but not close enough. It finished goalless.
Everton and Tottenham take a point from their efforts in a very well-matched game at Goodison Park.
TheSportMatrix.com 