Everton were beaten 3-2 by Tottenham Hotspur in their most recent match.
Tony Cottee has told Sky Sports that he was baffled by Ronald Koeman’s decision to play three defensive midfielders for Everton against Tottenham Hotspur.
Koeman opted to pack the midfield at White Hart Lane, as he wanted to shore up Everton’s defence.
The plan ended up backfiring on the Toffees, as they struggled to threaten Spurs throughout the match.
Tottenham took a 2-0 lead when Harry Kane netted a brace, and it was only then that Everton decided to attempt to play on the front foot.
Romelu Lukaku did score for Everton, but they were unable to turn things around – as Dele Alli netted a third for Spurs.
And Cottee questioned Koeman’s decision to play so defensively, rather than just stick with his usual tactic.
“I was a bit baffled by Ronald Koeman playing the three holding midfielders and it didn’t really work for them,” Cottee said. “It left Romelu Lukaku very isolated and they didn’t really create anything.
“Overall it was a disappointing performance by Everton, especially off the back of so many good ones.”
Everton’s failure to beat Spurs means that they remain stuck in seventh place in the Premier League table.
The Toffees had an opportunity to close the gap on Manchester United, after they could only draw with Bournemouth, but they missed the opportunity.
Everton’s defeat to Spurs is their first loss in the league in 2017.
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