Tottenham host Everton at home this weekend as both sides are looking to get their first win of the new Premier League season.
By Matt Smith
Ange Postecoglou’s men will be disappointed not to have taken home the three points in their opening fixture after a dominant first half against Leicester. The north London outfit looked incredibly comfortable, creating a host of chances while limiting their opposition.
The momentum shifted in the second half as the Foxes looked to get back into the game, but there were plenty of positive signs for Spurs supporters. Dominic Solanke may not have found the back of the net, but he was getting into some dangerous positions due to his clever movement (albeit, he will not miss this upcoming game due to injury).
The game against Everton is an opportunity for Postecoglou to showcase what he’s been working on in pre-season in front of the home fans for the first time this term. New signings are starting to bed in, with an impressive cameo from Lucas Bergvall against Leicester.
The young midfielder came off the bench later in the game, creating a chance, completing two dribbles, and winning five duels. Postecoglou might be considering offering him a few more minutes this weekend against Everton.
The Toffees currently find themselves sitting at the bottom of the table after a heavy 3-0 defeat at home to Brighton in their first fixture. If the hammering at Goodison Park wasn’t enough, Ashley Young’s red card means Everton head to Tottenham without a fit senior right-back.
Young is now suspended while Seamus Coleman and Nathan Patterson are both injured, so the right-back position is likely to be somewhere Spurs expose consider they talent they have out wide. A lack of possession and chances created, it was a drab display from Sean Dyche’s men on Merseyside.
Summer signings Jake O’Brien, Iliman Ndiaye, and Jesper Lindstrøm were all named on the bench against Brighton, so it could be time for Dyche to unleash the trio after a disappointing home performance.
The attacking output, similarly to last season, wasn’t good enough from Everton’s perspective, and the threat of Lindstrom and Ndiaye in transition could be useful against Spurs and their high line.
It’s a chance for Dyche and his team to make a real statement after a poor start, but their season won’t be defined by their opening two fixtures considering the quality of the opposition they’re facing.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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