In-form Tottenham Hotspur travelled to Everton on Sunday knowing that a win at Goodison Park would further strengthen their grip on fourth spot in the Premier League table.
Spurs dominated the first half on Merseyside, but it was Everton that took the lead in the 22nd minute when Aaron Lennon found the top corner against his former club.
The visitors managed to level in the latter stages of the first period, however, when Dele Alli collected a long pass from Toby Alderweireld before finishing from close range.
Both teams had chances to win it in the second period, but the points were shared in what was an entertaining game on Merseyside.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live Premier League coverage continues from Goodison Park as Everton welcome an in-form Tottenham Hotspur. The hosts have dropped to 11th in the table following a disappointing run of form, but Spurs will enter the match having won their last three in the league. Let's hope that the match on Merseyside lives up to the pre-game billing. We could be in for a real cracker!
To suggest that the omens are not exactly great for Everton this afternoon would be putting it mildly. The Toffees have won none of their last six league fixtures against Spurs and they have also failed to score in four of the last five league matches between the two teams. Last season, Spurs won 1-0 at Goodison, but the points were shared (0-0) in the reverse match at White Hart Lane earlier this season.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the team news from Goodison. I can tell you we have two of the finest strikers in the league on display this afternoon...
TEAMS:
EVERTON: Howard; Coleman, Stones, Funes Mori, Baines; Barry, Cleverley; Lennon, Barkley, Kone; Lukaku
SPURS: Lloris; Walker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies; Carroll, Dier; Lamela, Alli, Eriksen; Kane
The good news for Everton is that Romelu Lukaku, who has scored 11 goals in his last 10 appearances and also netted in each of his last five league games at Goodison, leads the line once again. The bad news is that James McCarthy misses out with a recurrence of a hip problem. Tom Cleverley has passed a fitness test, however, while Phil Jagielka is back on the bench following a long absence. Elsewhere, Aaron Lennon is preferred out wide to Gerard Deulofeu.
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Spurs' Harry Kane scored 27 Premier League goals in 2015 - more than any other player in the competition - and the England international, as expected, leads the line for the visitors. Mousa Dembele is out with a groin problem, however, while Alex Pritchard has an ankle injury. The game has also come too soon for Ryan Mason, but Nabil Bentaleb is fit enough for a spot on the bench. Tom Carroll is in favour at the moment and once again starts in midfield alongside Eric Dier.
So there we have it. Both teams are in and we are now little over 40 minutes from kickoff on this cold afternoon in Liverpool. This has all the makings of a very entertaining game of football, but it is Spurs that will enter the match in much the better form. Everton have only won one of their last six in the league and that disappointing run of form has left them in the bottom half of the Premier League table.
In recent seasons, Goodison Park has been a very tough ground for opposition teams, but Everton have already been beaten four times on their own patch in the league this season, while they have conceded 19 times on home soil. Their season in a nut-shell was shown in their last match when they were excellent going forward, but ultimately lost 4-3 at home to Stoke City.
Everton have actually only won six of their 19 league games this season, which is nowhere near good enough for a team with their quality all over the park. They have only been beaten five times, which is far from disastrous, but it has been a story of too many draws (8). They have collected 26 points thus far, which is nine fewer than Spurs, who currently sit above Manchester United in fourth.
It will be interesting to see whether Roberto Martinez dips into the transfer market this month in a bid to boost his team's hopes of a European finish. It is unlikely that either Lukaku or Ross Barkley will leave at this stage of the season, but if Lukaku were to go, you would have to fear for Everton, who just have not been good enough at the back. The loss of Phil Jagielka has hurt them, but the England centre-back is back on the bench here in what is a major boost for the club as a whole.
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This match is even more important for Everton when considering what they have to come in the next couple of weeks. Their next Premier League match after this one is away to Manchester City on January 13, before they travel to an improving Chelsea on January 16. Should their disappointing form continue over these next three games, the Toffees could well quickly slide down the table.
While Everton have been hit and miss this season, the same cannot be said for Spurs, who have been tipped to launch a title challenge this term let alone finish in the top four. Mauricio Pochettino's side are currently fourth in the table – seven points off the leaders Arsenal, but they do have a game in hand over their capital rivals. They are also four points off third-place Manchester City, but again, victory here would leave them in close proximity on the same number of games.
Manchester United's 2-1 win over Swansea City on Saturday has closed the gap between fifth and fourth to just two points, however, and Spurs will be wary of the challenge from behind them. They actually lost to Man United on the opening weekend of the new season, but have lost just once more since then. A lot of people are starting to take this Tottenham team seriously again.
Spurs went three league games without a win towards the end of November and start of December after drawing with both Chelsea and West Brom and then losing at home to Newcastle. Since then, however, they have beaten Southampton, Norwich and Watford to move into the top four.
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Unlike Everton, however, Spurs have a decent run of games ahead. They will welcome Leicester City, who have just stumbled in recent games, on January 13, before hosting struggling Sunderland on January 16. They will then take on Crystal Palace and Norwich and it is those type of games that will surely decide where Pochettino's side have the credentials to finish in the top four this season.
Wet and slippery conditions but safe hands from Hugo in the warm-up. #COYS https://t.co/GCRfWknkt4
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 3, 2016
Indeed, this afternoon, Tottenham will be looking to win their fourth successive Premier League match for the first time since January 2014. As mentioned, they recorded a 1-0 win in this stadium last season and have not lost any of their last six league games against Everton. Another solid result this afternoon would make it a happy start to the new year for the capital club.
It is also worth mentioning that Spurs actually have the best defensive record in the league this season. They have only conceded 15 times in their 19 matches and to put that into context, Manchester City have conceded 21 and Chelsea have conceded 29. There is no doubt that the summer signing of Toby Alderweireld from Atletico Madrid has made them a more solid defensive unit.
PREDICTION! Score draw for me here. Everton have been really disappointing at home this season, but I fancy them to secure a share of the spoils. How well both Lukaku and Kane play for their respective teams could determine the final outcome. That said, my score prediction is a 1-1 draw.
Quite Mr Shearer, quite...
Shootout @RomeluLukaku9 v @HKane #EFC #THFC
— Alan Shearer (@alanshearer) January 3, 2016
KICKOFF! Here we go then - both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. Not the best conditions for a football game, but I suppose that depends on what way you look at it. The pitch will play nice and quick! Right, it is the home side get kick things off at Goodison Park...
... Everton have taken control of the possession in the early moments and it does appear that Kone is playing right alongside Lukaku, at least for the moment. I must say that I am surprised that Deulofeu is not in the home side's XI, but Lennon has been really bright in recent games.
The away supporters are in good voice in the early stages and why not? Their team have been brilliant this season. Everton supporters always back their team at Goodison, but another poor result here would open the team up to more criticism. Not an awful lot to report in terms of attacking football in the opening four minutes as both teams attempt to find their passing tempo here.
Walker fizzes a low cross towards the far post and it appears that Alli will convert from close range, but Coleman is on hand to make a fine clearance. Spurs look confident on the ball.
It has been a good last couple of minutes for Spurs, with Kane and Carroll involved in the final third. The latter attempts to pick a pass after strong work from Kane, but it is too strong for Lamela and the home side have a goal kick. Not much from Everton going forward thus far here.
POST! Spurs come close to breaking the deadlock as Kane works a yard outside the box before firing one towards the bottom corner, but his effort smashes against the post before bouncing to safety. Wonderful strike from the Englishman, who thought that he had scored!
Spurs have a problem with Alli here as the midfielder hits the deck and stays there...
... Alli is back on his feet following a collision with Baines. All Spurs at the moment here.
This is impressive stuff from Spurs as they continue to dominate possession, with Everton struggling to make their mark. Already some groans from the home supporters early on!
Kone is having to drop back into an almost left-back role for Everton at the moment as the away side continue to dominate possession of the ball. We have not seen too much from the likes of Barkley and Lennon, while Lukaku has not had any service in the opening 15 minutes of this match.
Baines is just limping for Everton at the moment, which is not a good sign following a long lay-off. The home side relinquish possession once more, which allows Lamela to break down the left, but Stones comes across to make the block. The visitors remain the better team on Merseyside.
Spurs have a free kick just outside the Everton box as Barry fells Eriksen...
... Lamela takes, but his effort is straight into the wall. Bit of a waste there!
Wonderful noise from the home supporters in the last couple of minutes, but their team are struggling at the moment as Spurs continue to dominate possession of the ball. It is not difficult to see why some people are talking about Spurs as title contenders. They are strong all round.
GOAL! Everton 1-0 Spurs (Lennon)
Talk about smash and grab! Lennon has hardly had a touch in this game, but he has sent Everton into the lead after collecting a header from Lukaku, taking one touch and then firing his effort into the top corner. It is a super finish from the Englishman against his former employers!
Spurs have utterly dominated this game thus far, but they are now 1-0 behind. The away supporters continue to make their voices heard, however. Excellent atmosphere at Goodison!
CHANCE! Another Everton chance as Lennon works the ball into Kone, but the striker's effort is charged down by two defenders and Spurs manage to clear. Goals change games folks!
Eriksen has a long-range strike deflected wide of the post as Spurs break once again.
MATCH PIC!
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CROSSBAR! What a strike! Spurs come close to levelling as Davies collects a short corner and hammers one towards the top corner, but his effort smashes the crossbar and bounces clear!
This is a super game at the moment as both teams continue to commit players in the final third of the field. In truth, Spurs will be wondering how they are behind here. The visitors have hit the woodwork on two occasions and conceded the first time that Everton went into their box.
Carroll is the next Spurs player to try his luck from distance, but this time it is a comfortable save for Howard, who takes his time before releasing towards Lukaku. Spurs might be behind here, but they are very much on top and look capable of scoring every time they break forward.
BOOKING! Coleman (Everton) is booked for handball.
MATCH PIC! Martinez liked that goal from Lennon...
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Half-chance for Everton as Coleman delivers a cross onto the head of Kone, but his effort was always rising over the crossbar. This first period, which has been great, has flown past here!
Everton continue to live a charmed life here as Lamela breaks down the left before delivering, but Stones is across to make a fine clearance. Chants of 'come on you Spurs' can be heard in the away end as another corner is cleared. The home side are dropping deeper and deeper!
Alli heads high rather than towards goal as Spurs threaten once again here.
Kone breaks through on the Spurs goal after excellent work from Lukaku, but the attacker had just moved too soon and he is flagged offside. Not long left in this first period of action.
Spurs continue to look the most likely here as the capital side threaten in wide positions, but Carroll's pace towards Walker is too strong and Everton can settle with a throw. You just get the feeling that the game's next goal - if there indeed is one - could be absolutely vital at Goodison.
GOAL! Everton 1-1 Spurs (Alli)
Spurs level in the latter stages of the first period as Alli collects a wonderful pass from Alderweireld before finishing into the bottom corner. Wonderful control, even better finish from Alli for his fifth Premier League goal of the season. In truth, the visitors very much deserve to be level.
HALF-TIME: Everton 1-1 Spurs
Wow, what a finish to the first period. It did appear that Everton would enter the break with a 1-0 lead after that opener from Lennon, but a super finish from Alli has left the two teams on terms at the break. In truth, Spurs have dominated this game and Everton are fortunate to be level.
STATS! Spurs have dominated the possession with 64%, while they have had an incredible 13 attempts to Everton's three, which has included two strikes against the woodwork from Kane and Davies. There has been just the one yellow card - Coleman in the book for the home team.
BENCH WATCH! The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench this afternoon, with the likes of Deulofeu, Mirallas and Osman all capable of making a difference in the second period. Spurs, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Chadli, Son and Rose.
MATCH PIC!
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RESTART! Here we go then - both sets of players re-join us on the pitch for the second period. More of the same from the first please, which was cracking. Spurs resume the action at Goodison...
... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will look to their bench if the score remains 1-1 for the next 20 or so minutes on Merseyside. Spurs have been really impressive this afternoon it must be said.
Spurs these days are a totally different proposition, with a healthy looking back-bone.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) January 3, 2016
Barkley finds a bit of space outside the Spurs box after good work from Kone, but his effort was always swinging wide of the post. Everton need to find a way to get Barkley and Lukaku more in the game in this second period. Lennon is having some joy early in the second half though.
Much better from Everton at the moment as they continue to press high and force Tottenham into making mistakes. The crowd are feeding off it and this is much more like it from the hosts.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Spurs as Carroll pops a super pass into Alli, who chests down into the path of Kane, but Stones comes from nowhere to make a wonderful challenge!
Without sounding like a broken record, you just get the feeling that the next goal could be everything in this match. I would find it hard to see Everton responding if Spurs, who remain dominant in possession, took a 2-1 lead. Eriksen shoots straight at Howard as Spurs come close again.
Little over 30 minutes of this Premier League clash remaining and the score is still 1-1. It has been a super game of football and we are far from finished. I would be surprised if there were not more goals as both teams continue to commit men forward. Spurs have a penalty shout as Alli goes down inside the box under a challenge from Baines, but the referee is not interested.
Alli again finds Kane inside the Everton box, but Funes Mori uses his shoulder to usher the striker out of the way. It appears that the home side are preparing to make a double change...
... EVERTON SUBS! Besic and Deulofeu replace Kone and Lennon.
Deulofeu wins a free kick for his team after tracking back, but Everton will want the Spanish Under-21 international in the final third of the field. This game is so delicately poised here.
It is just getting a little bit scrappy as both teams dive into late challenges, but the referee has still issued just the one yellow card in this match and that was for handball in the first period.
MATCH PIC!
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Deulofeu sizes up his full-back after finding space in a wide position, but Davies stands strong and is on hand to make a fine challenge. Still no movement on the Spurs bench at the moment.
CHANCE! Deulofeu beats his full-back this time before whipping a wonderful cross towards Lukaku, but it is just too high for the Belgian, who looked favourite to beat Walker in the air!
BOOKING! Lamela (Spurs) is booked for throwing his arm into Coleman.
SPURS SUB! Son replaces Eriksen for the away side.
There is no question that the introduction of Deulofeu has made Everton more of a threat in the final third of the field. The crowd are up every time the Spaniard goes one on one with Davies.
BOOKING! Carroll (Spurs) is booked for bringing Barkley to the deck.
Not an awful lot to report in terms of chances at the moment as both teams relinquish possession in the final third of the field. That said, you just get the feeling that there is another big opportunity left in this match. Still 1-1 with little over 15 minutes of normal time to play here.
Alli stings the palms of Howard as Spurs have another shot on target.
Everton supporters have criticised Howard for some of his performances this season and the American does not look too comfortable as he comes to clear a deep cross into his box. It is the away side in possession as we head for the final 10 minutes of what has been a super match.
SAVE! Besic strikes a dropping ball outside the Spurs box and his effort heads for the top corner, but Lloris makes a fine save, before Funes Mori heads wide from the resulting corner!
Spurs do not look comfortable at the moment as the home side continue to deliver crosses into the box, with Lukaku always dangerous. No sign of the tempo slowing down in this game!
SPURS SUB! Chadli replaces Alli for the away team.
You still get the feeling that there is a winning goal in this match as both sides continue to drive forward. Everton have been much better in the second period after Spurs dominated the opening 45 at Goodison. One mistake or one piece of magic could secure all the points here.
SPURS SUB! Lamela is replaced by Onomah.
Not an awful lot happening in either half at the moment as we head for stoppage time...
... nervous moments for Spurs as we enter three additional minutes.
Stones has a strike blocked on the edge of the box and Spurs are looking tired in these final moments. Is there going to be one last chance for one of these sides to secure the points?
Coleman hacks the ball away after Son has a shot blocked!
CHANCE! Lukaku races through on the Spurs goal, albeit under pressure from Vertonghen, and the striker fires high and wide of the post. Not sure there will be a better chance than that!
Lukaku has another shot blocked by Vertonghen, before Lloris gets down to deny Barkley!
FULL-TIME: Everton 1-1 Spurs
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period at Goodison Park to a close with Tottenham coming from behind to secure a point at Everton, who have now won just one of their last seven in the league. As for Spurs, they remain fourth, three points ahead of fifth-place Manchester United. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action once again. Until next time!
