Goodison Park hosted a fiery encounter as Everton edged Tottenham Hotspur 3-2 in a pulsating affair. Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s early opener set the tone before Demarai Gray added another goal for the Toffees. Archie Gray of Tottenham scored an own-goal to give Everton their third.
Tottenham responded late with Richarlison and Kulusevski making their mark, but Spurs could not seal the deal. Both teams traded moments of brilliance in a match defined by grit and tactical maneuvering.
Key Stats
Corners: Tottenham’s 8 corners to Everton’s 3 underscored their territorial dominance, but Everton’s defensive organization limited their effectiveness.
Progressive Runs: Tottenham’s 18 to Everton’s 15 highlighted Spurs’ attempts to drive forward, but Everton’s defensive resilience kept key areas locked down.
Momentum Shifts
The match momentum chart reveals an intense battle. Tottenham controlled larger portions of possession (63%) and dictated play in stretches, but Everton capitalized on key moments, especially early in the first half and during the decisive second-half spells. It was a masterclass in how efficiency can rival possession dominance.
Shot Breakdown
Everton: 11 total shots, 6 on target, producing an xG of 1.83. Calvert-Lewin and Ndiaye’s clinical finishing highlighted Everton’s ability to make their chances count.
Tottenham: Matching Everton with 11 shots but slightly lower xG at 1.42, the Spurs struggled to convert despite some promising build-up play.
Everton’s shot map shows a concentration of efforts from inside the box, while Tottenham’s distribution was more varied but lacked precision in the key areas.
In-Possession Tactics
Everton Pass Map: Everton’s build-up revolved around Abdoulaye Doucouré and Idrissa Gueye in midfield, with Lindstrom and Calvert-Lewin providing forward outlets. While they had fewer possessions reaching the final third, their transitions were sharp and decisive.
Tottenham Pass Map: Spurs relied on James Maddison and Pedro Porro to create openings, with Heung-Min Son providing attacking width. However, over-reliance on central build-up made them predictable at times.
This game was a clash of philosophies—Tottenham’s possession-oriented approach versus Everton’s incisive counterattacks. The Toffees took their chances when it mattered, a crucial factor in earning all three points and keeping Goodison Park rocking till the final whistle!