Defensive masterclass but Everton were toothless in attack

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·12 September 2026

Defensive masterclass but Everton were toothless in attack

Premier League #5: Tottenham Hotspur 0 - 0 Everton

Everton will be playing in their green third kit for today's trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, with the hosts still looking for their first win and their first goal in this season's Premier League.

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No Merlin Rohl in the squad David Moyes names for this one with Ainsley Maitland-Niles getting his full debut at right-back.

First Half

verton kicked off with Pickford hoofing it forward for Van de Ven to head. Good early possession was spoilt by George losing the ball. Despite having the ball, most of the play was in Everton's half, Savio unable to get past Mykolenko.

Armstrong was a little too robust in the tackle, despite getting a toenail on the ball. A clever ball from Robertsonn found Van hecke ghosting around but he drove the half-volley over Pickford and the goal.

Another strong Spurs attack saw Everton rocking as the ball pinged around the Everton area, Branthwaite with a tremendous tackle. Marmoush tried but failed to force his way past Branthwaite.

George was again robbed in midfield and another Spurs attack needed to be repelled. For the third time George surrendered an easy ball. Savio again caused chos. Fernandes was easily played through but the Everton defence closed him well.

Johnson was robbed on the other wing but he recovered with a great sliding tackle.

It was the 15th minute before Everton got forward and Mykolenko won a corner. Garner with a decent delivery, but this time Maitland-Niles was well off target with his shot.

Savio again got forward but Mykolenko baulked him very well, Garner getting fouled. But the long ball forward went through to Kinsky. A poor foul by Gray saw him injured after his hit on Armstrong, which finally relieved the huge Spurs pressure.

Everton tried a concerted build and there was aerial chaos but no decent chance was created. Everton kept up the pressure, Mykolenko forcing another corner, but nothing came of it.

Spurs built more slowly; Savio eventually blocked well and George coming away with the ball. A brilliant ball by Tonali looked to have been controlled well but Garner was there to poke it behind. The corner was punched oout toward Fernandes but he sliced his shot badly.

Dewsbury-Hall tried to get George going but his tricks let him down again. But the solid Everton block stopped Spurs getting forward until Savio got around Mykolenko. Dewsbury-Hall released George down the left but he delayed the cross a fraction, the ball crossing the goalline. A cross from Maitland-Niles on the right sailed beyond the far post.

A lot more space in the middle for Spurs saw Robertson get forward, well away from Maitland-Niles, but he could not beat Pickford. Mykolenko looked t have stolen the ball but then lost it and a Spurs shot was defelected bhind for a corner, driven out at the far post, a poor delivery.

George clipped a ball forward to Barry but he dragged Van de Ven out of his way by the shirt. Free-kick to Spurs. Maitland-Niles miscued his clearance but Pickford gathered the ball.

Armstrong was fouled and Garner played a crossfield ball that went through Johnson and out of play. Everton had time to build but kept going back until Mykolenko crossed in poorly and Branthwaite fouled.

A rather naive pass by Armstrong to Maitland-Niles was too easily intercepted but any danger was averted. Fernandes was called for poor grappling on Dewsbury-Hall, who did very well to win an advanced free-kick, 25 yards out. He didn't hit it quite right but it beat the wall and bounced infront of Kinsky, who pushed it behind.

The Everton corner came to nothing and Spurs wanted to counter but the half-time whistle blew, Everton having withstood early pressure but not done anywhere near well enough in building their attacks. Grealish for George?

Second Half

No changes from Moyes, of course -- what was I thinking?

Fernandes finally had Spurs' first shot on target, a weak roll into the hands of Pickford.

A great ball forward for Johnson but Van de Ven was across super quick to boot Johnson and the ball. On the other wing, George finally got past his man and whipped over a brilliant cross for Barry at the far post but Kinsky gets himself in the way.

Everton tried to play out but Bentacour was too quick. Barry got George free

A couple of Everton corners, Barry header hitting a defender on the first, George lashing one with his left foot on target off the second but blocked away by Bentancur.

Spurs mounted a quicker attack, but Everton stalled it and tried to break themselves, but they too were stalled. Spurs made their first changes after the hour mark.

George was still having a hard time, but AMN did well against Tel. And finally Grealish came on for George. Kinsky gave the ball away to KDH but could not beat Kinsky from close range.

Marmoush was caught offside. Barry was called for climbing on Van Hecke. Tonali was fouled by KDH but the ref allowed advantage and the Eevrton defence locked in. Yellow card for KDH.

Tel was tormenting AMN but a good delivery was belted away by Branthwaite. The next attack was cleared by Grealish playing very deep. Spurs kept coming again and again, an excellent all to Savio at the back post but he could not conect and Mykolenko did well to thwart him.

Johnson put in a decent cross that Barry headed back to him. Everton wanted a penalty but immediately waived it away. Grealish did his thing to beat Gray but KDH had run in too quick.

But a brilliant move saw KDh played in brilliaant cross, an easy chance for Johnson who struck it wide when it looked easier to score!!! Absolutely shocking miss, he was immediately removed in exchange for Hackeny, with O'Brien on for AMN, 15 minutes left. Another change for Spurs.

It felt like Spurs were pulling out all the stops, but Everton were keeping their shape, Jake O'Brien brilliantly stopping Savio. But a tremendous Spurs onslaught saw O'Brien and Branthwaite make critical interceptions.

A clever Kudos cross was stopped by Branthwaite. Hackney cleared, but Spurs kept surging at them until Garner was fouled. Savio ran into Garner... and Garner get a yellow card. Astounding!

Spurs played it around again with intent until their cross bounced off Gray's head and behind, seeing Gray withdrawn for Tosin.

Garner looked to carry the ball forward but played it straight to a Spurs player!

Grealish won a typical free-kick but Everton could not build, and Spurs attacked again, but Maddison's pass was easily picked up by Pickford.

A terrible play out by Pickford was picked up and Berhgval's shot needed to be savid in front of the post. Spurs corners ensued, Pickford punching the first behind, Branthwaite fouled on the second, as only 3 minutes were added on.

A great Everton attack saw Grealish and Hackney set up KDH whose shot was barely deflected wide for a late corner... but that was wasted.

A late long throw didn't come off and the whistle finally went. A tremendous defensive game by Everton, so many Spurs attacks repelled, but so much emphasis on that, they just didn't have enough in attack as a result. A typical Moyes point.