Tottenham 2-1 Everton: Richarlison and Son Heung-min goals help Spurs into top four as resurgence continues
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ByEurosport
Updated 23/12/2023 at 17:28 GMT
Tottenham climbed into the top four of the Premier League with a frantic 2-1 home victory over Everton. Ange Postecoglou’s side took control with two first-half efforts by Richarlison and Son Heung-min, and although an Andre Gomes goal made for a nervy finish, Spurs held on. It marked a third consecutive win for a resurgent Tottenham, while The Toffees slipped to a first league loss in five.
Richarlison of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates with Dejan Kulusevski of Tottenham Hotspur after scoring their team's first goal during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Everton FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on December 23, 2023 in Lond
Image credit: Getty Images
Two first half goals moved Tottenham into the UEFA Champions League spots as they beat Everton 2-1 on Saturday afternoon at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Tottenham needed a win as they looked to leapfrog Manchester City, away after their World Cup club duties, and move into fourth spot.
Everton, meanwhile, continue to rebuild after their 10-point deduction, and while they started the day seven points clear of the drop, a win would take them past Crystal Palace and into 15th.
Tottenham scored two early goals as Richarlison and then Son Heung-min scored before the game was 20 minutes old, and despite a late first-half push from Everton, they went into the tunnel 2-0 ahead.
In the second half, Dominic Calvert-Lewin had an early goal chalked off for a foul in the build-up from Andre Gomes, only for the former Barcelona man to score in the 82nd-minute from a corner.
Ange Postecoglou’s team then invited pressure but were able to hold on for three points.
Victory moves Tottenham into fourth place, two points behind Liverpool ahead of their mouth-watering game with Arsenal.
Talking Point - Tottenham keep taking risks
Tottenham took advantage of some slack Everton defending in the early stages and for much of the first half hour, Ange Postecoglou’s side threatened to run away with it.
However, Spurs’ terrible passing around their area gave Everton a succession of chances that more ruthless sides would have used to potentially go ahead.
While Tottenham will reflect on a vital three points in the league campaign, they will pay for it if they don’t tighten up at the back.
Player of the Match - Brennan Johnson (Tottenham)
The former Nottingham Forest man was devastating down the right and gave Everton a really hard time in the first half. If he maintains this form then it will be hard to see him losing his place even when Tottenham have all their players back.
Player Ratings
Tottenham: Vicario 6, Porro 6, Romero 6, Davies 6, Royal 6, Sarr 7, Skipp 6, Kulusevski 6, Johnson 8*, Richarlison 7, Son 7. Subs: Dier 6, Hojbjerg 6, Lo Celso 6.
Everton: Pickford 7, Patterson 6, Tarkowski 6, Branthwaite 6, Mykolenko 7, Onana 6, Gana 6, Garner 7, McNeil 7, Harrison 6, Calvert-Lewin 5. Subs: Danjuma 6, Beto 6, Andre Gomes 6.
Match Highlights
9’ - GOAL! TOTTENHAM 1-0 EVERTON - RICHARLISON SCORES - His sixth goal of the season, and fourth in his last three games. Tottenham have Sarr to release Johnson down the right, Richarlison at the near post clips it to the left of Pickford's dive.
12’ - JOHNSON CHANCE! Emerson picks out Johnson unmarked at the back post, and he slices his effort well over the bar.
18’ - GOAL! TOTTENHAM 2-0 EVERTON - SON SCORES - From a corner, Spurs work Johnson into the box and his powerful shot is blasted at Pickford, who pushes it back into danger and lets Son finish.
50’ - GOAL! TOTTENHAM 2-1 EVERTON - CALVERT-LEWIN SCORES? He's released to fire past the 'keeper but VAR SAYS NO after Andre-Gomes fouls Johnson in the build-up.
61’ - GARNER CHANCE - Harrison flicks a great past to Garner on the inside right, and he strikes the far post!
82’ - GOAL! TOTTENHAM 2-1 EVERTON - A corner from the left misses everyone and Gomes runs onto it at the back post, 15 yards out, and connects brilliantly to fire across Vicario.
Key Stat
Richarlison has scored four goals in his last three appearances.
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