Roberto Soldado scored what proved to be the winning goal, his first league goal in 9 months, and first in all competitions in 594 minutes.
Tottenham started in a 4-4-2 formation with Kane playing slightly behind Soldado up front with academy products Ryan Mason and Nabil Bentaleb in the middle of midfield. Lennon brought width that has been missing in recent weeks. Everton lined up in a 4-2-3-1 with Barkley behind Lukaku in a narrow formation.
Tottenham pressed high and fast from the word go and played with a much faster tempo than what the White Hart Lane faithful are used to from their team. However, it was Everton who took the lead after 15 minutes. A corner into the box was not cleared properly by Spurs and the ball fell to Kevin Mirallas. He skipped past Soldado onto his right foot and curled the ball into the top right hand corner of the goal past the outstretched Lloris. A fantastic strike that looked destined for the net as soon as it left his boot.
On 21 minutes, Spurs forced Everton to play long and they worked the ball to Harry Kane who dribbled past the Everton defence on the edge of the area and hit a low left footed strike, which was parried by Howard, unfortunately for Everton this was straight into the path of Eriksen whose miss-hit strike looped over the goalkeeper and past the covering Barry.
Tottenham controlled the rest of the first half with some fine one-touch football, playing fast and wide. The Spurs fans really got behind the team after witnessing some excellent pressing as a team, the style of play that was prominent for Pochettino at Southampton. Their efforts paid off on the stroke of half time when Harry Kane won the ball in the middle of the field from Besic and Lennon burst forward towards the Everton box in a 4 v 2 scenario. He put through Soldado who grabbed the deciding goal and sent the Spurs fans into jubilation.
The second half started with more high pressing from Spurs, but Everton grew stronger and stronger and were looking more dangerous with every attack. Everton were restricted to long range efforts until late on when Ross Barkley played a through ball to Coleman only to be smothered by Hugo Lloris for an Everton corner.
Both teams have penalty claims late on. Everton appealed for a handball by Fazio in the Tottenham penalty area only for referee Michael Oliver to wave away the protests. Shortly after Harry Kane took the ball into the Everton box only to be brought down by Besic, although it did look like he was trying to buy the penalty from the referee.
In the end Tottenham ran out deserved 2-1 winners in a much improved home performance to end a barren run in front of their home fans. It is hard to fault any of the home team players, and you have to really look at the formation that was played and the partnership that Kane and Soldado appeared to have up front.
The man of the match award went to Harry Kane who was tireless throughout, and his effort created the opportunity for a counter attack which led to Soldado’s goal. In truth the midfield due of Bentaleb and Mason were a delight to watch. I cannot remember a game when Tottenham looked as good as they did against Everton which was very pleasing to see. The only negative I would take away from the game would be that yet again Tottenham have come from behind to win a game. They need to take control early on and get the first goal then dominate teams, especially at home.
Next up is the real test for Spurs as they Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night to face Chelsea. Everton will look to regroup and go again as they host out of sorts Hull City on Wednesday, in a bid to keep their top four hopes alive.
