Everton secured their first win under David Moyes with a commanding 3-2 victory over Tottenham Hotspur, despite a late rally from the visitors. The final scoreline, which suggested a close contest, was misleading as Tottenham’s first-half performance was abysmal, allowing Everton to take a comfortable 3-0 lead by the interval. This defeat extended Spurs’ winless run to six Premier League matches, with Everton displaying resilience and determination in a much-improved display compared to their previous outing under Moyes.
The hosts made several changes, including giving Jake O’Brien his Premier League debut in a three-man central defence, and switching to a 3-4-2-1 formation. This tactical shift paid off immediately, with Everton looking unrecognizable in their intensity and approach. Jesper Lindstrom, playing as a right wing-back, was a standout performer, while Dominic Calvert-Lewin ended a 16-match goal drought with a composed finish early on.
Tottenham’s woeful first-half display allowed Everton to dominate proceedings. Spurs lacked defensive organization and character, with their effort falling far short of the required standard. The lack of fight was evident from the outset, and chants of ‘We want Levy out’ were heard from the away section long before Everton’s third goal. The boos at halftime reflected the frustration of Spurs supporters, who were witnessing their team’s dismal performance.
The breakthrough came in the 13th minute when Calvert-Lewin capitalized on a careless pass from Pape Sarr to Lindstrom. After receiving a perfectly timed pass from Idrissa Gueye, Calvert-Lewin expertly turned and finished past Tottenham goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky. It was a crucial goal for the striker, ending a long drought that had weighed heavily on his confidence. Everton’s second came shortly after, with Iliman Ndiaye scoring his first Premier League goal at Goodison Park. He exchanged passes with Gueye and then powered through the Spurs defence, finishing emphatically into the roof of the net.
Everton continued to create opportunities, with Calvert-Lewin going close to scoring again, but his heavy touch allowed Kinsky to clear. However, the third goal eventually arrived in the 41st minute. After a series of missed chances, Lindstrom’s second attempt at a free-kick found James Tarkowski, whose header was flicked on by Calvert-Lewin. The ball then deflected off Tottenham’s Archie Gray into his own net, giving Everton a deserved 3-0 lead.
Tottenham’s attack had been largely ineffective in the first half. Son Heung-min had a rare chance but was thwarted by a superb challenge from Tarkowski. Spurs had another opportunity when Pedro Porro’s pass found Dejan Kulusevski, but Son’s shot was too weak to trouble Jordan Pickford in goal. At halftime, Postecoglou made a change, bringing on former Everton striker Richarlison, and the substitution seemed to spark a slight improvement in Spurs’ play. However, the damage had already been done.
Spurs did manage to pull a goal back in the 75th minute when Kulusevski finished brilliantly after a rebound fell to him in the box. Pickford had come off his line to challenge James Maddison, and the ball broke to Mikey Moore, whose shot was blocked. Kulusevski calmly lofted the ball over the Everton defenders and into the net. The visitors’ late surge continued when Richarlison scored in the dying seconds, poking home a cross from Moore, but it was too little, too late.
Despite the late drama, Everton held on for the win, giving Moyes his first victory since returning to the club. The result was a much-needed boost for the team, who had struggled for form earlier in the season. Moyes’ tactical adjustments, coupled with a strong team performance, were key to Everton’s success. On the other hand, Postecoglou faces growing pressure as Spurs’ struggles continue, and their inability to recover from a poor first half leaves them in a difficult position.
