LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 06: Ainsley Maitland-Niles of Everton celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Everton and Manchester United at Hill Dickinson Stadium on September 06, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Everton travel to Tottenham on Saturday, four months after a limp display in north London spared Robert De Zerbi’s side a potentially ruinous relegation.
Despite the whole country seemingly willing the Toffees on to condemn Spurs to the drop, they did not turn up, giving the wider public a taster of what it is like to be an Evertonian.
It would be very Everton to go back down to London and perform this time, though it would also be very Everton to give Tottenham their first goal and first win of a difficult campaign so far.
They can at least head to the capital with a spring in their step after that thrilling draw with Manchester United.
If you are ever going to draw a game, that is how. Tyrique George - arguably Everton’s best player this season so far - channelled his inner Tomasz Radzinski 2003 before Ainsley Maitland-Niles channelled his inner David Beckham 2001 to score the best goal at the Hill Dickinson to date.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 06: Ainsley Maitland-Niles of Everton scores his team’s second goal during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Everton and Manchester United at Hill Dickinson Stadium on September 06, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Getty Images
It felt like a very David Moyes 1.0 performance, battling against adversity. But that would play down the talent in this current team - it is good enough to give any team in the division a game.
The issue will be when we head deeper into the season and injuries/suspensions bite. Which is why gathering as many points as possible before that happens is so important.
The opposition
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 29:A dejected looking Tottenham Hotspur Manager Roberto De Zerbi during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on August 29, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Brooks - CameraSport via Getty Images)
CameraSport via Getty Images
For a few years, Everton held the title of banter club all on their own, but Tottenham have certainly joined the club over the last 18 months or so.
There was almost a morbid fascination from football fans outside north London last season as their season began to unravel.
It felt impossible for a side of such prestige and resources to go down, but as the games ticked off, that prospect became real. Two huge pieces of fortune kept them above the danger line - playing a weakened Aston Villa side between two European semi-finals, before hosting a Toffees side on the final day that had checked out weeks ago.
They appeared determined to avoid a repeat by splashing out around £300m on Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes, Savio and Jan Paul van Hecke.
In Tottenham style, though, they have begun the season with three defeats and no goals from their opening three games. They were awful against Brentford on the opening day, but games against Newcastle and Forest could have gone either way,
But in Everton, they have an ideal opponent to get their season going. Spurs have lost just one of their last 17 home games against Everton - and that was during the Covid 2020-21 season - with 4-0 and 5-0 thrashings in recent memory.
Previous meeting
Tottenham 1-0 Everton, 24 May 2026
Joao Palhinha scores the opening goal . (Getty Images)
Joao Palhinha’s goal shortly before half-time was enough to prevent a first relegation since 1977 and send West Ham down on a nervy day in north London.
Everton know all about last-day relegation scraps but barely threatened until very late on, with Tyrique George having an effort well saved by Antonin Kinsky.
Team news
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 06: Ainsley Maitland-Niles of Everton celebrates scoring his team’s second goal with teammate Jack Grealish during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Everton and Manchester United at Hill Dickinson Stadium on September 06, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Everton have no fresh injury concerns, with Christian Norgaard the only absentee. David Moyes hopes the Denmark midfielder will be back after the international break.
Moyes also says Jack Grealish is ready to make his first start since January after impressing from the bench last weekend. Ainsley Maitland-Niles could also make his first start at right-back (or maybe up front?)
Final word
Bar a run of three straight wins in the mid-noughties, Everton’s record at Spurs is generally terrible, so this is the perfect game for them to end their losing run. Everton, that.