Everton are back in action at Bramley-Moore for just the second time in a month as Thomas Frank’s Tottenham arrive on Merseyside. The Toffees go into the game on the back of a disappointing, if predictable, defeat at Manchester City last weekend. They more than held their own until the opening goal, certainly offering more than they usually do away at one of the ‘big six’. But the game boiled down to a tale of two strikers. Erling Haaland is the best on the planet and could easily have doubled his
eventual tally of two late on. Beto, meanwhile, spurned two golden chances to put Everton ahead in the first half — chances that simply must be taken at stadiums such as the Etihad.
Beto is a willing runner with a big heart, but his finishing is costing Everton dear at the moment. Thierno Barry looks both extremely raw and low on confidence, meaning David Moyes has little choice but to stick with Beto.
It would be churlish to focus solely on the negatives, however, as Everton’s general play has been good despite the obvious deficiencies up front and at full-back. Iliman Ndiaye was outstanding against City, producing some outrageous pieces of skill. Throw Jack Grealish into the mix, and the Toffees offer far more creativity than they have done in a very long time – perhaps not since the Carlo Ancelotti days.
Though expectations should be tempered given the team’s struggles in recent years, a win on Sunday would lift Everton into the top 10 (and just a point behind our dear neighbours). A season spent well away from the relegation zone would be most welcome.
The Opposition
Tottenham are having a curious few months. The glory of that Europa League win – their first trophy in 17 years – came alongside a dreadful league season that featured 22 defeats and a record low of 38 points. Ange Postecoglou was ousted as a result, and in came the highly rated Thomas Frank, who also seems like a thoroughly nice chap.
This year, they sit eighth with four wins from eight games and are the only unbeaten side on the road. They are also unbeaten in the Champions League, yet there are a few, albeit minor, grumblings after three home games without a win, including defeats to Bournemouth and Aston Villa, while the draw against Wolves required a last-gasp equaliser.
With Everton unbeaten at home, does this all point to a draw? Given that eight of the last 12 meetings on Merseyside have ended that way, I know where my money would go.
Previous Meeting
Everton 3–2 Tottenham – 19 January 2025
Everton secured a vital win in their battle against the drop back in January thanks to three first-half goals from Dominic Calvert-Lewin (his final Toffees goal), an Iliman Ndiaye special, and an Archie Gray own goal.
Late goals from Dejan Kulusevski and former Toffee Richarlison brought flashbacks of the Bournemouth game, but the Toffees held on for their first home victory over Tottenham since 2012.
Team News
Jack Grealish is available again after he sat out last weekend’s defeat against parent club Manchester City.
Everton were dealt an injury blow in midweek when Jarrad Branthwaite underwent surgery on a hamstring injury just as he seemed to be closing in on a return.
Nathan Patterson is also sidelined with a foot problem, but the Toffees have no other injury concerns.
Final Word
As mentioned earlier, recent history points to a draw, which would not be the worst result in the world against a team with a decent away record. But with the Toffees slipping into the bottom half, a win would maintain some of the momentum gained from that dramatic victory over Palace at the start of the month.
