Tottenham are up to joint-second after their win over Everton
(Picture: Getty Images)Tottenham earned a third win in a week to suggest Antonio Conte’s side are beginning to click into gear nicely, following an effective but largely disjointed start to the campaign.
A 2-0 win over Everton maintained Spurs’ 100 percent home record and moved them to within a point of league leaders Arsenal and level with Manchester City.
Conte’s side are steadily making their home ground a fortress and continuing to find a way past difficult opponents following last week’s 1-0 win at Brighton and the midweek Champions League victory over Frankfurt.
Given the relentlessness of the schedule, Spurs huge deserve credit for their impressive response to the reverse at Arsenal a fortnight ago, and a committed display suggests they coming to the boil at a good time, with seven games still to play before the winter break.
Next up is a visit to Manchester United on Wednesday, which could have implications in the race for the top four or even the title.
Harry Kane’s penalty on the hour and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s late deflected effort earned a deserved victory over the Toffees, ensuring the England captain quickly banished the memory of his miss from the spit against Frankfurt midweek and the Dane continued to contribute impressively in the final third.
The game was actually a great illustration of why this season has been more of a slog for Conte’s side than the second half of last term, when they found their feet from February and beat Arsenal to fourth place with an impressive run of results.
Lampard’s side were so naive in a 5-0 defeat here in March, when they tried to press Spurs’ back three and played a high defensive line, but the Toffees boss had clearly learned from his mistakes.
Everton adopted the polar opposite set up here, putting men behind the ball and challenging Spurs to break them down, all the while looking for quick counters.
Conte’s Spurs have struggled to break down opponents who deny them space in the final third and the visitors’ approach was perfect for the first 50 odd minutes.
Better finishes from Demarai Gray and Amadou Onana, who both skied one-on-ones with Hugo Lloris would have seen the Toffees go in ahead at the interval, while Spurs were restricted to half chances.
Richarlison headed over Ivan Perisic’s cross in the first few minutes and also sent Kane’s ball over the top, while the latter saw an effort deflected miss the target.
The game ultimately turned on an injury, which proved decisive on the night but was the one major downside for Conte.
Richarlison pulled up after 52 minutes clutching his left calf and, with Lucas Moura left to keeping warming up, the head coach called for Yves Bissouma and switched to 3-5-2.
Spurs enjoyed even more in control with an extra man in midfield, and within seven minutes, Jordan Pickford spilled Matt Doherty’s shot at Kane’s feet and caught his international teammate with his head.
Kane made no mistake to make it nine goals in ten League games, continuing his excellent form.
The injury to Richarlison is a blow to Conte, particularly with the prognosis on Dejan Kulusevski uncertain but it may be a blessing in disguise on Wednesday if it forces the head coach to play an extra midfield an Old Trafford. Spurs have generally looked more assured with another body in the middle.
They certainly did here, and Everton barely threatened at 1-0 down, even after the introduction of Dominic Calvert-Lewin for the final 25 minutes.
Indeed, Spurs always looked the more likely to score and they wrapped up another dogged win when Rodrigo Bentancur, the game’s outstanding player, crossed for Hojbjerg to wrap up the win with a curling effort.
Spurs are hitting form nicely, although as they prepare for United, Conte will be conscious of their last visit to a big-six rival, the 3-1 defeat to Arsenal which remains the only stain on their league season so far.
