Richarlison’s stunning brace will hog the headlines after Tottenham Hotspur’s 2-2 draw with Premier League strugglers Everton at Goodison Park but Ally McCoist was equally impressed by James Maddison’s ‘special’ assist.
Returning to his old stomping ground, Richarlison needed every ounce of self-discipline not to break into even a hint of a smile, opening the scoring with a superb left-footed finish before doubling his tally with his right, curling a sumptuous finish into Jordan Pickford’s top corner on the stroke of half-time.
Amid the beauty of such a strike, the rather subtle role James Maddison played in it’s inception may go under the radar. Not for McCoist, however, the Tottenham number ten bamboozling a couple of Everton markers with feet quicker than Fred Astaire before producing an inch-perfect lay off which just seemed to yell ‘go on Richy, have a pop’.
James Maddison and Richarlison combine in Tottenham draw
“I tell you what’s special,” the Rangers legend told BT Sport in his typically sunny tones (3 February, 1.30pm). “Before the finish, Maddison’s feet are remarkable. He gives a one-yard pass which – and I know it sounds crazy – is an absolute delight for Richardson to hit.
“It’s a beautiful goal. Magical stuff, and the finish is equal if not better.”
This was only Maddison’s second start since a long injury lay-off which had kept him out since November, stand-out displays against both Everton and Brentford in the space of a few days dispelling any concerns of ring-rust.
Richarlison, meanwhile, now has nine goals in his last ten appearances, the club-record £60 million signing finally displaying the form which made him such a fans’ favourite on Merseyside.
Spurs throw away two points at Everton
“Richy has been good for a while,” Ange Postecoglou tells BBC Sport. “Not just his goals but his general all-round play. All the lads put in a solid shift today.”
Richarlison’s brace was not enough to earn Spurs three valuable points in their pursuit of a Champions League spot, however. Jarrad Branthwaite bundled in a stoppage time equaliser at the back post amid questionable goalkeeping from Guglielmo Vicario.
“Pretty disappointed, particularly conceding so late,” Postecoglou adds. “We had chances to kill them off that we didn’t take. In the end, they got one late.
“That was the only threat they had, we had to deal with them throwing balls into the box all game.”
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