PLAYER RATINGS: Spurs 2:1 Everton

Spurs produced the best football White Hart Lane has seen this season to grab a vital 3 points against a tricky Everton side.

Spurs were up against it from the off and the Toffees’ pressure paid off after just 15 minutes when Kevin Mirallas cut in from the left to wrap an absolute beauty into the top corner.

But Spurs responded brilliantly and just 5 minutes later Harry Kane drove at the Everton defence and forced Tim Howard to parry into the path of Christian Eriksen, who scuffed his rebound into the far corner.

The moment of the match came in stoppage time at the end of the half as Roberto Soldado lifted the White Hart Lane roof as he got on the end of Aaron Lennon’s through ball to slide the ball beneath the Everton ‘keeper.

The relief inside the Lane was immense as the Spaniard grabbed his first League goal since Cardiff last season.

Everton pressed throughout the second half but Pochettino’s men defended with their lives to hang on for the victory, which lifts them to 7th in the table – just 2 points away from 4th.

Player Ratings

Hugo Lloris - 7 – The captain was on hand to brilliantly deny Seamus Coleman at the Irishman’s feet in the second half, and never looked like being beaten after Mirallas’ pearler.

Vlad Chiriches - 6 – Looked like the weak link in the Spurs side today but that would be down to him playing out of position. Got forward well in the first half but end product was dismal, although he was at least a physical presence.

Jan Vertonghen - 8 – Back to his best today. Absolutely dominated everything at the back and kept Romelu Lukaku relatively silent. Worked well with Fazio and drove the ball out of defence admirably.

Federico Fazio - 7 – Answered his critics with a commanding display. Was on hand to make countless clearances and was invaluable defending set pieces. Came close from Eriksen’s cross, too.

Ben Davies - 7 – A lot of people saying that Davies has asserted himself as our first-choice left-back today. Performed brilliantly when given a little less help from Eriksen than he would have wanted. Given a real test by Coleman which meant he was largely pinned back.

Nabil Bentaleb - 8 – Another one of our outstanding performers. He and Mason worked perfectly in tandem and Bentaleb was as intelligent and productive as any of our players today. His excellent workrate led to him making 5 interceptions overall.

Ryan Mason - 7 – This guy has surely asserted himself in the starting eleven now. With unquestionable technical ability, Mason provides the passion and the drive that Spurs so lacked at the start of the season, and today showed that better than any other game. Tenacious defensively and came so close with a great strike.

Christian Eriksen - 8 – Another goal for the Dane who was involved in almost everything Spurs did today. He’s the one who’s not afraid to play the risky passes and every side needs that. Eventually got back to help Ben Davies out with Seamus Coleman, too.

Harry Kane - 8 – My Man of the Match today. The single most positive player in the side and that’s down to pure confidence. Created the first goal and came so close himself with an audacious chip. Growing every week!

Aaron Lennon - 7 – What a game this guy had. For someone we considered selling to Stoke in the summer, Lennon balanced the side perfectly. His workrate in helping Vlad out with Baines and Mirallas was brilliant and it was that that led to Soldado’s goal.

Roberto Soldado - 7 – Produced one of the moments of the season so far when he netted his winner. The raw emotion on his face said it all and he was given a huge ovation. Hopefully the movement and drive he showed today will remain for the rest of the season.

SUBS

Erik Lamela - N/A – Certainly a positive decision to get Lamela on the pitch when Poch did, and his hold up play was super. Definitely guilty of frustrating everyone by overcomplicating events, though.

Eric Dier - N/a

Paulinho - N/a

This was a huge win, and it came at the most perfect time. It came at a time where we break our after-Europe AND our home Premier League curses, and it also provided a much needed boost for the likes of Roberto Soldado.

That boost may come in handy for Wednesday, where the real test of strength comes in.

For now, let’s enjoy it.

COYS…

 

I know we beat QPR four nil, but this was the best performance of the season. It was complete. Tireless effort and high pressing.
I thought Lennon made a huge difference today, tracking back and we looked more vulnerable after he went off, with Chiriches being perhaps the only weak link this afternoon.
When the first goal went in, I feared the very worst, but we passed the ball quickly and were terrier like in winning the ball back.
Today was the performance I have been waiting for and I see no reason to change the team for Wednesday's game at the bridge.

Soldado scored but his all round play was exceptional. Kane and Mason were tireless and the two of them , along with Lennon were at the heart of every attack.

Eriksen and Bentaleb were also brilliant, tracking back and getting forward in equal measure.
Vests and Fazio were excellent and we looked much more solid without kaboul.

All in all, a great win but also a complete performance from the boys today.

Come On you spurs!!!!!

 

The 'Spurs Diamond' was at the heart of everything.

Kane
Bentaleb - Mason

 

What a result. I thought we were going to lose by 3 or 4 today especially after the 1st being so early. Bentaleb Eriksen Lennon and soldado were fantastic going forward and Kane is always dangerous. It was nice to have some width instead of trying to play down the middle with 5 Central midfielders in the same place at the same time. Well chuffed today (For the 1st time in ages) Coys

 

Fantastic result - my only worry is we basically played 4-4-2 and MP really wants Spurs to play 4-2-3-1. I hope Mr P sticks to Kane and Soldado up front for a few games.
Faz, Verts and Davies suited the new formation and tactics too (in my opinion).

 

Fantastic performance. It looked like 442 in attack and 4231 when defending. But it didn't really matter if it was 442 or whatever. For me Poch showed he is willing to adapt his system to the teams strengths, far more than his predecessors. My biggest worry was that he would doggedly stick to a playing system that worked for his previous team but not ours.

 

I thought Fazio and Vertonghen were able to do their proper jobs because Mason and Bentaleb had the energy, speed and desire to get back in front of them and protect them. They're meant to be the last line of resistance, not the first!

Good analysis, James.