Tottenham vs. Everton: Winners and Losers from Premier League
Tottenham Hotspur rediscovered the funk during their vital 2-1 Premier League victory over Everton on Sunday and, in the process, leapfrogged to seventh in the table.
Kevin Mirallas opened the scoring with a beautiful jink and finish from 18 yards, but Christian Eriksen pegged the Toffees back soon after. Roberto Soldado wrapped it up with a rare goal just before half-time.
Here, B/R picks its winners and losers from the game.
Winner: Mauricio Pochettino, Who Flicked a Switch
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Tottenham Hotspur's season could start here. They've limped and dragged themselves to December in excruciating fashion, but now they have the chance to build on what was a fantastic performance.
Mauricio Pochettino said something, did something or possibly even threatened something. Whatever it was, it lit a fire in the bellies of his players, and the intensity of the football looked similar to that of Southampton's last season.
That's what Pochettino is measured on constantly: Southampton's showings in 2013-14. The closer he gets to those—and he is trying to get there—the more breathing room he creates for himself.
Loser: Erik Lamela, Who Was Outshone by Aaron Lennon
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Aaron Lennon worked hard on the wing on Sunday, and it's obvious he was brought in to track Everton's epic full-backs, Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman.
Later in the game, despite being a goal up, Pochettino brought on regular starter Erik Lamela. The Argentine failed to convince, lost the ball consistently and dallied with his decision-making.
Of the two, Lennon was far, far better on the day.
Winner: Roberto Soldado, Who Scored a Goal!
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A first Premier League goal this season. A first Premier League goal since March. Just the second goal this season, and that's if you count the Capital One Cup strike against Nottingham Forest.
It's been a serious lean streak for Roberto Soldado, but this performance was fantastic. His yips have been worse than the Detroit Lions kickers' in 2014, but he finally found the scoresheet on Sunday.
He did all the things he's been doing with aplomb—runs, dropping in, playmaking—as usual, but he added the all-important goal. He got a hero's reception after being substituted; he knows the White Hart Lane crowd support him.
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Loser: Roberto Martinez and His Flat Side
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It could be the Europa League-induced travelling, or it could be something else. Either way, Everton were flat, slow and ponderous on the ball on Sunday.
They took the lead and started brightly, but following Tottenham Hotspur's equaliser (in the first quarter of the game), the midfield disappeared and mistakes became a common theme.
Gareth Barry was at fault for Soldado's winner, and Tim Howard looked rusty throughout. Muhamed Besic had his customary share of hair-raising moments.
Winner: Harry Kane, Whose Legacy Was Enhanced Once More
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Tottenham Hotspur fans go on about Harry Kane so much, many neutrals were lulled into the sense that they were overcompensating and joking because he was, in reality, a poor player.
Newsflash to many: Harry Kane is a damn good striker. He has strength, pace, directness and a willingness to shoot. Dropping deep and playing just off Soldado, he was a menace driving forward and committing tacklers to mistakes.
His run and shot created Eriksen's equaliser.
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