Tottenham delivered it with nervy wrapping paper, but Spurs fans were treated to an early Christmas present this evening thanks to a 2-1 win over Everton.
Let’s take a look at how the individual players got on:
Guglielmo Vicario – 8.5 – Got excited and came flying off his line a couple of times when perhaps it wasn’t needed, but apart from that, Vicario was superb. Made so many routine stops throughout the 90 minutes, as well as a couple of incredible ones. His thigh actually saved Spurs from a 2-2 draw at the death.
Pedro Porro – 6 – Some real cutting edge with his passing in the opposition half, but far too sloppy playing out from the back in the first half. Got Spurs into plenty of trouble by getting his pocket picked. Improved in the second half but it was all a little frantic today.
Cristian Romero – 7 – The calm version of Romero today. Patrolled his area well and was firm in the challenge, but without going over the top. While it was all a bit chaotic around him, he was probably the most consistent defender. Had to go off at half-time due to a thigh problem.
Ben Davies – 6 – Not quite up to the standards he has set in recent weeks, but that is not to say he didn’t contribute. His last-ditched work was a lot more impressive than his playing out from the back today. All a little chaotic at times.
Emerson Royal – 7.5 – Came in to cover at left-back for the suspended Destiny Udogie. Although he had a few nervy moments, I thought he was superb playing on his weak side. Defensively solid, but also willing to use the ball and burst down the wing.
Oliver Skipp – 6.5 – Happy to see him get chances because he works so hard, but the jury is still out on whether he totally suits Ange-ball. Effective off the ball and will run all day, but not all that neat and tidy in possession throughout the 90. He thrives when it is ‘backs to the wall’ but isn’t great at transitioning out of that mode.
Pape Matar Sarr – 7 – Played a lovely ball through to Brennan Johnson to get Spurs in behind for Richarlison’s opener. Covered a lot of ground, but like many Spurs players, lacked a little sharpness and consistency with his play.
Dejan Kulusevski – 6 – Popped up all over the pitch today, including a nice ball in behind for Brennan Johnson to eventually create Heung-min Son’s goal. At times, he was a little wasteful and too easily knocked off the ball, but carried Spurs up the pitch a few times. Unlucky not to make it 3-1 with a late effort.
Brennan Johnson – 7.5 – Although he drifted in and out of the game, Johnson was the catalyst for the fast Spurs start. First assisting Richarlison with a great cross, and then his rebounded shot allowed Sonny to make it 2-0. Missed a bit of a sitter of his own in between those two goals.
Richarlison – 7.5 – And the scoring run continues! Richarlison seems to have simplified his game a little. Make those runs into the box and trust your ability to sniff out a goal. A lot more one-touch passing today too, rather than holding onto the ball for far too long.
Heung-min Son – 7 – Sonny popped up with a goal at a vital time to make it 2-0. Not his typical kind of game today, but his work holding the ball up with his back to play and bringing others into the game as a number nine is getting so much better.
Substitutes:
Eric Dier – 6.5 – Did a good ‘no nonsense’ type job at the back after replacing Romero at half-time. Nothing wrong with playing to his strengths in pursuit of the win.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg – 6.5 – I thought he had a positive influence on the game after coming on, helping Spurs to grind out the win. Used the ball really well on the counter at times.
Giovani Lo Celso – 7 – The perfect time to bring Gio on when the game started to get stretched. He picked up those pockets and kickstarted a fair few dangerous counters.
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