Pranav Shahaney

Sat 23 December 2023 16:58, UK

Tottenham Hotspur picked up a narrow 2-1 victory against Everton at their home ground in the Premier League on Saturday, 23 December.

Son and Richarlison scored early in the first half to give Spurs a comfortable two-goal cushion for the majority of the game.

Andre Gomes then pulled a goal back in the 82nd minute to set up a grandstand finish.

Here are our player ratings for the game:

Jordan Pickford – 6

Made a brilliant save to deny Dejan Kulusevski in the second half and could not do more to keep out either of the two goals. He even made some important passes including one to James Garner and on another day, they could’ve been goal-involving sequences.

Nathan Patterson – 5

It was a topsy-turvy game for him with his defensive efforts standing out but him failing to offer much in the final third. According to Sofascore, he failed to complete any of his two attempted crosses and even misplaced six out of eight of his long passes. He also picked up a yellow card and was on edge for the rest of the game.

James Tarkowski – 6

After a slow first half, he picked it up in the second half and provided an effective screen for Gomes to find the back of the net. He even dealt with the Spurs attackers better and the Toffees could’ve got something from the game had he been this good in both halves.

Jarrad Branthwaite – 6

Much like Tarkowski, the Englishman grew into the game. Coming back after a suspension, there will have been some rustiness to shake off and that was evident at the start of the game. However, things got better and he was also tidy in possession along with doing his best to keep the Spurs attackers at bay.

Vitalii Mykolenko – 7

Offered an important attacking threat and was also very good with the ball at his feet. He combined well with the likes of McNeil and Onana and unfortunately did not manage to register an assist.

Idrissa Gueye – 3

Picked up an injury in the 24th minute with Everton down 2-0. It wasn’t a good performance at all until then from the veteran. He had a pass accuracy of just 63 per cent and even got dribbled past once. The midfield looked to be more solid once he was taken off. The Senegal international should not be a regular starter for Everton.

Amadou Onana – 7

Was tidy in possession and did his best to keep the Spurs midfielders from taking control of proceedings. Despite starting strongly and getting a two-goal lead, the hosts tended to lose control of proceedings and the Belgian was among the main reasons for that. He even completed 85 per cent of his passes and was terrific off the ball as well.

Jack Harrison – 4

Not the best of performances from Harrison who failed to get involved in proceedings for Everton. He lost six out of seven of his ground duels and his only aerial duel as well. Not an ideal display and was rightly taken off.

James Garner – 7

A quality display from the midfielder who played in a slightly advanced role in the absence of Abdoulaye Doucoure. He even won six out of his nine duels and managed to register a pass accuracy north of 90 per cent. Stunning effort.

Dwight McNeil – 6

Played a sensational pass to Arnaut Danjuma in the dying stages of the game and it could’ve been 2-2 had the Dutchman hit it better. He then took a corner that nearly led to a goal. However, apart from that, he had a quiet game and failed to complete six out of his eight attempted crosses as well.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin – 5

Thought he had scored, but unfortunately for the Toffees, that goal was ruled out. Apart from that, he had a few half chances, one of which was one his left foot, but he did not look too comfortable with it. He had his moments in the game, but apart from that it wasn’t smooth sailing for him.

Subs

Andre Gomes – 8

Arguably the best off the bench performance for Everton this season. Despite being out for so many months, the Portugal international was all action and even had an assist before he was deemed to have made a foul. His goal was so well hit and this did not look like someone who’s been out for months. It remains to be seen if Dyche considers putting him in his playing XI in the coming weeks.

Arnaut Danjuma – 5

Was in the pick of things at the end but did not manage to find the back of the net. On another day, he certainly would’ve seen the net bulge but it wasn’t to be.

Beto – 4

Came off the bench to offer more of a goal threat to the Toffees and did not really get himself in positions where he was a serious threat.

In other Everton news, a club shareholder has gone on record to slam a “terrible” development surrounding the Toffees and has made an admission on Sean Dyche.