The Premier League table makes for very good reading for all connected with Tottenham at present. Following Saturday evening's 2-0 victory over Everton in north London, Spurs sit third having won seven of their opening 10 league games in 2022/23.
Going into the encounter behind Arsenal and Man City anyway, Antonio Conte's men have at least upped the pressure on the top two ahead of their fixtures on Sunday against Leeds United and Liverpool respectively. Making it three wins on the spin in all competitions, the Lilywhites had trouble breaking a resolute Everton down in the first half but they were much better after the break.
Taking the lead through Harry Kane's penalty after Spurs' No.10 was brought down in the box by England teammate Jordan Pickford, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg sealed the three points with a well-taken goal four minutes from time. Amid a number of positives to come from the victory, there was one major negative as Richarlison came off with a calf injury five minutes after the restart.
READ MORE: Richarlison issues emotional injury update after leaving Tottenham win over Everton on crutches
Not only will the Brazilian now miss Wednesday's Premier League game away at Manchester United, there are question marks over whether he will be fit enough to make the Brazil squad for the World Cup. With Richarlison not available for the trip to the Theatre of Dreams, Conte will be hoping Dejan Kulusevski can take his place in the squad after not featuring since the international break due to a hamstring problem.
Amid Richarlison's injury and questions over Kulusevski's fitness, Conte looks increasingly likely to go with the 3-5-2 system that Tottenham used following the Brazilian's early exit. Yves Bissouma was the man to come on and he caught the eye with a calm and composed showing in the middle of the park.
Allowing Matt Doherty a bit more freedom to push forward and help out in attack as he was disciplined defensively, Bissouma also made a key tackle on Demarai Gray with Everton looking to punish Spurs on a rare foray forward. Having to make do with minutes here and there off the bench and only two starts since his summer move from Brighton & Hove Albion, Richarlison's injury could hand Bissouma the chance he has been patiently waiting for at Tottenham.
Bissouma most definitely caught Conte's eye in his 38 minutes on the pitch against the Toffees. Speaking in his post-match press conference, the head coach revealed that the 26-year-old having two midfielders alongside him in the middle is best for him at present.
"Bissouma played a really good game. I think that when we go to play with a midfield three, for him it's in this moment it's better to have two midfielders with him. His impact was really, really positive," admitted the head coach.
"I think it's his understanding that he's in a top club and the pressure is different and the level of the intensity of the training sessions are more higher so the focus has to be every, every moment at the top.
"The demands are a lot and he's understanding this. We're talking about a really good player and he played really well and I'm happy for this."
Tottenham do have other options in Lucas Moura and Bryan Gil to come in and replace Richarlison in the starting XI, but the option of having an extra midfielder in there is perhaps the way Conte will go with a tough game against the Red Devils on the agenda. Tottenham have looked better for having that extra body in midfield when they have opted to switch to a 3-5-2 setup, with Son Heung-min and Kane also benefitting as they have played closer together.
Proving in his time at Brighton that he is one of the best midfielders in the Premier League, Spurs could now be about to witness just what Bissouma can offer over an extend period of games. It's now the summer signing's time to step up and help Tottenham carry on their impressive start to the campaign.
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