Everton and Tottenham drew 1-1 on the opening day of the new Premier League season.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino
Pundit Matt Le Tissier has told Sky Sports that Maarten Stekelenburg was his man of the match for Everton against Tottenham – but praised a substitution from Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino.
In one of the most anticipated games of the Premier League’s opening weekend, Tottenham – who finished third last season – travelled to take on Everton at Goodison Park, with the Toffees embracing a new era under new manager Ronald Koeman and the investment of Farhad Moshiri.
Everton’s Ross Barkley celebrates scoring their first goal against Tottenham
In front of an excited Goodison Park crowd, Everton opened the scoring as Ross Barkley’s inswinging free kick missed everybody and beat Hugo Lloris to put Koeman’s men into an early lead.
After Gerard Deulofeu had missed a golden chance to make it 2-0 before half time, Tottenham rallied in the second half and hit back as Erik Lamela headed home an equaliser from Kyle Walker’s right-wing cross.
Tottenham’s Erik Lamela celebrates scoring their equaliser against Everton
Tottenham could have won it, as new signing Vincent Janssen had a close-range strike saved by Maarten Stekelenburg, and Lamela almost had a second as Stekelenburg tipped his drive onto the crossbar to make sure Everton claimed a point in a 1-1 draw.
After the game, pundit Matt Le Tissier spoke to Sky Sports about the game, and highlighted Mauricio Pochettino’s decision to replace defensive midfielder Eric Dier with striker Janssen as the turning point in the game.
Le Tissier noted that Tottenham’s tempo increased once Dutch international Janssen – who scored 31 goals in all competitions for AZ Alkmaar last season – was brought on, and Spurs looked more dangerous for his introduction.
Everton’s Maarten Stekelenburg saves a shot from Tottenham’s Vincent Janssen
Le Tissier added that Everton’s own Dutch new boy Stekelenburg was the man of the match for his two saves from Janssen and Lamela, which prevented the Toffees from opening the campaign with a defeat.
“In the second half, Spurs came out a different side and look the more dangerous,” said Le Tissier. “It was a good substitution with Dier going off and Janssen coming on, and all of a sudden, the tempo was upped and Spurs equalised.”
“Maarten Stekelenburg would be my man of the match for those two crucial second half saves,” he added, praising the Dutchman.
Who was your man of the match during Everton v Tottenham?
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