REUTERS/Jason Cairnduff
Everton remain unbeaten after earning a 0-0 draw with Tottenham.
David Moyes’ side collected their sixth point from four Premier League games after surviving an energetic Spurs opening and then growing into the contest at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers
The hosts controlled the ball early on, with Mateus Fernandes finding pockets of space behind Everton’s midfield.
However, their familiar problem quickly returned, with plenty of promising moves reaching the edge of the box, yet the final pass repeatedly let them down.
Everton weathered that spell and gradually pushed higher.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles sent an effort off target before James Garner produced the first meaningful save of the evening, forcing Antonin Kinsky to turn away his free kick just before the interval.
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|Tottenham 0-0 Everton|
|Match stat|Everton|Tottenham|
|---|
|Possession|38%|62%|
|Expected goals (xG)|1.17|0.64|
|Total shots|12|14|
|Shots on target|3|2|
|Shots off target|3|4|
|Blocked shots|6|8|
|Big chances|3|1|
|Big chances missed|3|1|
|Shots inside the box|9|8|
|Corners|6|5|
|Passes|381|643|
|Pass accuracy|84%|93%|
|Fouls committed|8|14|
|Offsides|1|2|
|Yellow cards|2|0|
|Red cards|0|0|
|Goalkeeper saves|2|3|
Tottenham reached half-time without registering a shot on target for a third successive league game, and that summed up a flat first period in which Moyes’ men became increasingly comfortable.
The Toffees carried the greater threat after the restart.
Tyrique George beat Archie Gray and clipped a cross towards Thierno Barry, whose header struck Kinsky and spun behind. George then saw another goalbound attempt blocked by Rodrigo Bentancur as Everton began to sense an opportunity.
David-Moyes
Kinsky almost handed the visitors the lead when his loose pass went straight to Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
The midfielder had time on the edge of the area but could not punish the mistake, sending a tame finish back at the relieved goalkeeper.
Roberto De Zerbi turned to Mathys Tel, Mohammed Kudus and Lucas Bergvall in an attempt to change the game, while Moyes introduced Jack Grealish. Spurs pushed harder as the minutes slipped away, leaving more room for Everton to break.
Alan Smith delivers Brennan Johnson verdict after Everton frustrate Tottenham
REUTERS/Dylan Martinez
Summer signing and ex-Tottenham star Brennan Johnson was presented with the chance to punish his former club, only to waste the opening after spending long periods on the edge of the action.
Sky Sports commentator Alan Smith felt the Wales international should have made far more of the opportunity, not to mention get far more involved in the game.
“Brennan Johnson is usually a good finisher, but he should have done better," said Smith.
"He's hardly been in the game, but what a chance that was."
Those chances never produced a winner.
At the other end, Jordan Pickford stayed alert to keep out Bergvall’s late drive and protect a clean sheet built on the disciplined work of James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite.
Everton will see this as another useful result after an encouraging unbeaten opening to the campaign.
REUTERS/Jason Cairnduff
They were second best at the start, but showed composure, defended their box well and had enough openings to believe all three points were available.
Johnson’s miss will sting most.
A goal against the club where he enjoyed his finest moments would have made it a perfect night, but Everton still left London with another point and further proof that they are becoming difficult to beat.
EVERTON MOYES
EVERTON MOYES