A frustrating game with a real lack of quality from both Tottenham and Everton.
Everton were held to a 0-0 draw against Tottenham in the Premier League on Saturday evening, continuing their unbeaten start to the season.
The Toffees were under the cosh in the opening 25 minutes, with Everton struggling to deal with Tottenham's attacking threat. The movement of Roberto De Zerbi's midfield caused Everton all sorts of problems, but they stood firm and defended well.
Everton grew into the game later in the first half, limiting the number of chances Spurs created and becoming more of a threat heading into the break.
James Garner's awkward free-kick was the closest Everton came to finding the opener, but Antonin Kinsky did well to divert the ball away from danger.
After the break, Everton came into their own, looking to control the game in the early stages of the second half. Just five minutes after half-time, Tyrique George did superbly to skip past Archie Gray and float a cross to the back post. Thierno Barry was there to meet it, but Kinsky did well to fling his body in front of the header.
The Toffees started to throw everything at Spurs in a bid to try to find the opener, and George's thunderous strike as the ball fell to him from a corner was well blocked.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was then gifted a huge opportunity to open the scoring as Kinsky passed it straight to him, but the Tottenham goalkeeper spread his body to make the save.
Tottenham then grew back into the game and looked more threatening, but it was Everton who were then given the opportunity to fire themselves in front.
A smart pass from Dewsbury-Hall found Brennan Johnson alone inside the area, but the Everton winger fired the ball into the stands behind the goal.
Onto the player ratings.
Jordan Pickford - 5
A clean sheet, of course, but I thought he really let us down today in possession. Way too many wayward long balls, failing to find a team-mate with 16 of them, and some sloppy clearances almost gifting Tottenham opportunities.
Would be a six if it wasn’t for that, as he didn’t have loads to do, and one of his saves came from his own mistake.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles - 6
Reasonable performance from Ainsley Maitland-Niles. Thought he did okay defensively, barring a few moments, but overall a fine performance. Nothing to shout home about, but solid enough. Would have liked to have seen more going forward.
James Tarkowski - 7
Solid performance from James Tarkowski at the back. In the first half, I wanted to see a bit more control from him in terms of organising the defensive shape. It was a bit all over the place and he’s the leader at the back.
Also, like Pickford, too many poor long balls. Some of them were a bit unnecessary, but it might be more team instructions than Tarkowski decisions.
Jarrad Branthwaite - 8
Superb at the back today. Some absolutely monster blocks, and there was a header in the second half where he was fouled which he did so well to get to. He’s had a fantastic start to the season and hopefully it continues. I have no doubts it will, as long as he stays fit.
My MOTM.
Action Images via Reuters
Action Images via Reuters
Vitalii Mykolenko - 8
I thought he had a difficult start against Savio, but he really grew into it. Really solid performance from him.
Won the majority of his one-vs-one battles when it looked as though Savio was going to have his number early on. Much improved from the previous week. Up there for MOTM, but Branthwaite edges it.
James Garner - 7
Thought he done really well defensively at times. There was moments where he struggled, but hard to argue against 17 defensive contributions and 10 ground duels won.
Covered a lot of ground.
Harrison Armstrong - 6
Not his best game. Did his usual in terms of being absolutely everywhere, but didn’t see a lot from him in possession.
Would have personally liked to have seen Hackney come on for him in the middle at some point.
Brennan Johnson - 4
Offered us very little all game. That chance he had too, he simply has to hit the target from there. Minimal threat in behind and on the ball facing defenders.
Barely in the game, to be honest, but when he was involved he didn’t do nearly enough.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall - 6
Some good, some bad. Really think he should do better with the chance gifted to him by Kinsky.
Was always involved going forward, though, so have to give credit for that.
Tyrique George - 5
Moment of magic to produce the Barry opportunity, but struggled to create much magic outside of that. Kept receiving the ball too deep rather than being allowed to isolate Archie Gray, but was more due to how we set up. Sloppy with his dribbling, but often crowded out.
Thierno Barry - 6
Looked okay in the first half but better in the second half. Few nice moments of hold-up play and good movement in the box after the break. Not a bad performance but nothing special.