Spurs v Everton (match preview)

By Lev
August 25 2006

Tottenham’s season finally got under way on Tuesday night, against newly promoted Sheffield United, due to impressive performances from their attacking players in the first half.

Tottenham’s season finally got under way on Tuesday night, against newly promoted Sheffield United, due to impressive performances from their attacking players in the first half. The White Hart Lane faithful will expect nothing less on the weekend, with the team looking for another important three points. Stand-in skipper Robbie Keane, making his first start of the season, was in sensational form in the first half an hour and linked with Aaron Lennon and Dimitar Berbatov, respectively, to set up the two early goals; the Bulgarian and Jermaine Jenas being the goalscorers. However, the Republic of Ireland captain will have been kept on his toes for the remainder of this week in training by Jermain Defoe, who produced a magical 10-minute spell at the end of the game and was unlucky not to add to the scoresheet. Spurs’ Head Coach, Martin Jol, will have a tough task deciding who will start alongside Berbatov, if he himself is fit enough to play after picking up a knock in training, as he looks to be worth every penny of the £10.9 million fee the club bought him for.

Jol will have the same problem with his choice for the central midfield partnership. Edgar Davids proved what he is capable of with a hard-working, tigerish display full of determination and tenacity, but, like Defoe, Jol introduced Zokora in the latter stages of the game and the Ivory Coast international displayed his range of passing from deeper positions and his aggression in front of the back four. Jermaine Jenas also had an improved game and his athleticism and work rate, along with his goal, did not go unnoticed. If the ex-Newcastle man’s toe injury is not serious, Jol’s decision as to who will play along side him will most likely be decided by the style of play and tactics he wishes to employ against tough opposition in the form of the blue half of Merseyside. At the back, Spurs are not expected to make any changes, with Michael Dawson, in particular, impressing the White Hart Lane crowd with an assured display.

Everton have begun brightly this season with four points from their first two games, having faced similar opposition to Spurs, at home to Watford and away to Blackburn. Their new forward pairing of Andy Johnson and James Beattie looks promising in this early stage of the season and with midfielders like Tim Cahill, Leon Osman and Mikel Arteta, Everton should not be worrying about where goals are coming from.

David Moyes may have to juggle his pack though, with only two full days between this game and the last, and Nuno Valente may come in for Gary Naysmith, retaking his place at left back, while Jolean Lescott may be forced to replace Alan Stubbs at centre back after the Scot left the Ewood Park pitch prematurely on Wednesday night. Simon Davies is also in contention to play against his former employers, having started the first game of the season, only to be rested in midweek. The Toffees will also be delighted with the instant form of their new goalkeeper, Tim Howard, while Joseph Yobo has also put in two impressive performances at the back. Moyes will hope they can improve upon their recent efforts at White Hart Lane, having conceded 7 in their last two outings.

Spurs will hope they can duplicate their home record of last season after having only lost against Manchester United and Chelsea, and their impressive record against Everton in the teams’ last few meetings should continue if they produce the football they are capable of. This could very well be the case and let’s hope Tottenham can pick up where they left off on Tuesday night. A score of 2-1 to Spurs is my prediction, but there is no doubt Everton will provide a sterner test than Sheffield United managed.

COYS.