TOTTENHAM 0-1 EVERTON

Everton arrived in London with an unwanted statistic hanging over them, they had failed to win at a top-six club since December 2013 – a run of 40 matches, with the majority of those games ending in defeat. However, this was the day that things felt different.

Everton lost to Spurs towards the end of last season in a performance that lacked guile, creativity and hard work. None of that could have been further from the truth for Carlo Ancelotti’s men here as they outplayed Spurs comfortably to earn a 1-0 win and shatter that unwanted statistic on day one.

Carlo Ancelotti has overseen a midfield overhaul that has added Allan, Abdoulaye Doucouré and James Rodríguez as well as challenging the players and club to harden its mentality.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored the only goal early in the second half, heading home from Lucas Digne’s free-kick, but Everton’s margin of victory should have been greater. Richarlison wasted a host of chances to increase the victory but was a constant thorn in Spurs side with his energy and hard work.

The positives were there for all to see and began with the performances of the debutants. Allan, who sat in front of the back four, showed a relish for the physical fight and provided tempo and organisation; Doucouré sparked moves from a slightly higher central position while Rodríguez caught the eye off the right, where he was able to cut inside on to his cultured left foot.

Everton started the game quickly and settled into their rhythm moving the ball with greater purpose and should have taken the lead on 16 minutes when Richarlison ran clean through and went around Hugo Lloris but he stumbled slightly and shot wildly off target when Calvert-Lewin was square of him waiting for a tap in.

Everton did have Jordan Pickford to thank for making two brilliant saves in the first half, one from Dele Alli and the other from new Spurs signing Matt Doherty to keep the scores level. At the other end James Rodriguez fizzed a shot just wide as the sides went in level at the break.

There was more purpose about Everton after the break and Richarlison almost gave Everton the lead when he cut in from the left and curled a shot just wide of Lloris’ post.

The goal wasn’t long in coming though. Lucas Digne curled in a left footed free kick and Calvert-Lewin rose majestically to bullet a header past Lloris in the Spurs goal to give Everton a well deserved lead.

A few minutes later it was almost 2-0 and again it was Richarlison cutting in from the left and flashing a shot past a stranded Lloris as Spurs couldn’t get near their opponents.

Everton continued to press forward and a Richarlison header and a Seamus Coleman drive could have increased their lead but in truth they didn’t need to such was their control in this game.

Mourinho looked perplexed whilst Ancelotti cut a contented figure on the touchline, just maybe this is the start of a bright new era for Everton.

Final Score : Tottenham Hotspur 0-1 Everton

How they lined up :