Everton showed attacking prowess rarely seen this season as they brushed aside Tottenham’s weak challenge at Goodison Park.
The Toffees had scored just 15 goals in the 20 games leading up to the competition but added three in a turbulent first half as Spurs’ problems continued. Ange Postecoglou’s men scored two goals in the closing stages but were second best for much of the competition.
Not for the first time in recent months, the visitors were a mess defensively and Everton were good enough to capitalize. Dominic Calvert-Lewin gave them the lead after 13 minutes and a brilliant individual goal from Iliman Ndiaye doubled their lead after half an hour.
An Archie Gray own goal in first-half stoppage time effectively ended the game as a contest, and although Dejan Kulusevski and Richarlison canceled out the goals, Everton managed to stay four points clear of the relegation zone.
The result will put even more pressure on Postecoglou as his side sit in 15th place, just one place ahead of Everton.
After David Moyes’ second effort failed in midweek as Everton were beaten at home by Aston Villa, this was a much better performance from the hosts who deserved the three points.
DCL starts with a wonderful goal
Calvert-Lewin was much maligned but he showed nice feet and gave Everton the lead.
Played by Idrissa Gueye, Calvert-Lewin stepped into Gray and then past him again before firing past Antonin Kinsky.
Spurs could have quickly equalized but James Tarkowski made a brilliant tackle to deny Son Heung-min before Jordan Pickford parried well from the South Korean.
Calvert-Lewin showed why his earlier goal was his first in 17 Premier League games with a terrible touch on the clean pass that allowed Kinsky to get out and smother, and the young Czech shone again with a brilliant one a minute later Save and pushed Gueye’s shot further to contribute.
Everton actually scored the second goal after 30 minutes, which their approach deserved. Ndiaye picked up the ball in his own half and stormed towards goal before outsmarting Radu Dragusin and firing high into the net.
“This is a MAGIC moment.” 🪄
Iliman Ndiaye, what a goal! 👏 pic.twitter.com/Q9byZ92x1d
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 19, 2025
The unfortunate Gray makes it 3-0
Spurs were rocking and it was no surprise when Everton scored again before half-time.
Jesper Lindstrom crossed from the right, Tarkowski headed back towards the goal, Clavert-Lewin got a touchdown and Gray could only throw a volley into his own net.
Postecoglou introduced former Everton striker Richarlison at half-time, but that initially made little difference to the game and Calvert-Lewin almost scored a fourth goal from a cross from Lindstrom.
Tottenham actually conceded a goal 13 minutes from time. Pickford came out to stop James Maddison picking out Kulusevski and the Swedish winger delivered a lovely chip over the covering defenders.
Tottenham recover with a great dink from Dejan Kulusevski! 💥 pic.twitter.com/UMw0hVNOCi
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 19, 2025
And things got interesting when Richarlison converted Mikey Moore’s brilliant cross at the far post in stoppage time.
However, Tottenham were unable to score an under-delivered equalizer.
