Angry Mourinho ...
Some Jonathan Liew ...
Here is the report from David Hytner ...
Here’s Jose Mourinho
“I’m disappointed with the performance, yes. In the first half we had the best chances, a couple of important saves by Pickford. In the second half, when they scored, we were not able to create and they dominated the game. The struggle started in the way we pressed, or the way we didn’t press – it was very, very poor. It was lazy pressure, and when you let them play from the back they are comfortable. In spite of that, I repeat that in the first half we had some good moments.
“The goal was a bit strange. It’s not an excuse for the result, but with so many referees on the pitch, it’s incredible that they could take a free-kick five metres away from where the foul took place. Five metres in the crossing position makes a huge difference. But I don’t want to dwell too much on this incident.
“Due to a very strange pre-season, some of my players are not fit. But congratulations to my good friend Carlo and Everton.”
Here’s Abdoulaye Doucoure “It’s a dream start for all of us. The week was brilliant, the manager was focussed on the game and we are very happy to win. I have only trained three times with the team but I kept in shape to be ready for this game, and the manager had trust in me. I’m very happy.
“I’m sure we’re going to achieve good things this season. We want to get into Europe, that’s our main goal. Today is only the start but it’s a great win against a good team.”
“I know it’s early,” says Dom Salmon, “but as a Spurs fan I’d like to apologise to everyone in the world, not just football fans, for the utterly pointless dross we’re going to inflict on you this season. I mean sure, column inches will be generated because, you know “Jose’. But we’re sorry you might end up reading that, instead of, I don’t know, spending time with your kids, your family, friends you haven’t seen in ages.
“And there’s the actual ‘games’ themselves. Again, you could be pairing socks, doing tax returns, creosoting fences? Useful stuff certainly. But no, you’ll probably NOT be doing that, and instead watch us serving up anaemic, pedestrian bilge, week in week out. Even if you flip channels to Amazon, there’s no escape. And I for one, am sorry it came to this.”
That was an outstanding day’s work for Everton, both the result and the performance. Their new signings were all excellent, and they played with a purpose and order that was lacking for so much of last season. For Spurs, it was a bit of a stinker, and Jose Mourinho has a rare old face on as he stomps towards the tunnel.
Full time: Tottenham 0-1 Everton
Peep peep! Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s towering header gives Everton a deserved victory over a listless Spurs.
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90+3 min Hojbjerg’s high, hanging cross is claimed decisively by Pickford.
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90+2 min Tom Davies replaces the impressive James Rodriguez, who decorated the game with moments of class.
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90+1 min Four minutes of added time.
90 min Davies’s fast cross is slightly miscontrolled by Son, which allows Allan to get in front of him and clear. He’s had a really solid game.
88 min Moise Kean replaces the goalscorer Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
86 min There’s still no urgency to Spurs’ play, it’s all very strange.
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85 min Richarlison and Hojbjerg both go down in pain after a foul by the latter, prompting a bit of shoving from players on both sides. Hojbjerg is booked.
84 min Doucoure slides a good pass through to Calvert-Lewin, whose crisp shot from the edge of the area is too close to Lloris.
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81 min Kane loops a header straight into Pickford’s arms from Davies’s cross. This is a bit better from Spurs.
81 min Son’s corner is headed on at the near post by Alderweireld and hooked towards goal by the off balance Davies. Richarlison heads it clear from inside the six-yard box.
80 min Everton haven’t won away to a ‘big six’ side in the Premier League since December 2013.
78 min Son’s corner is headed over by Kane, under pressure from Calvert-Lewin. It wasn’t much of a chance.
77 min Everton probably can’t believe how easy this has been, particularly since they went 1-0 up. Spurs have been lamentable.
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76 min “The MBM feed here in the States is about 30 seconds ahead of the NBC Peacock feed,” says Mary Waltz, “or you are the fastest typer in the world.”
I wear my genius lightly.
75 min Pickford flies from his line to punch clear after Doherty loops a header back across the area. Time for another Spurs change: Tanguy Ndombele replaces Doherty.
74 min It’s all Everton. Coleman cuts across a volley from 25 yards but it’s too close to Lloris and he saves comfortably.
72 min Another good effort from Richarlison, who runs at Doherty, cuts inside and curls a shot just wide of the far post. That was closer than the last one, though it was also a better chance as he was only 12 yards out.
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71 min It’s been an impressive, controlled performance from Everton, who look much more organised and purposeful than last season.
69 min At the other end, Richarlison cuts inside Sissoko and cracks a curling shot that goes a few yards wide of the far post. It was a decent effort, though Lloris didn’t seem unduly worried.
69 min Lucas Moura does well to manufacture a header at goal from Davies’s lobbed cross. Pickford moves across his line to make a comfortable save. That’s Spurs’ first attempt at goal since half-time.
68 min An Everton change: the quietly excellent Andre Gomes is replaced by Gylfi Sigurdsson.
65 min Gary Neville is laying into Spurs on Sky Sports. “The reaction to giving that goal away is not good enough. Just look at them, walking round the pitch. Sulking.”
64 min Everton look very comfortable at the moment. Spurs have been so subdued.
61 min Spurs are now playing with Sissoko alongside Hojbjerg in the midfield. Lucas Moura has moved back to the right wing and Bergwijn is playing alongside Kane.
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60 min Another change for Spurs: Steven Bergwijn replaces Harry Winks.
58 min The free-kick was taken maybe five yards further forward than it should have been, so you can understand Jose Mourinho’s irritation. I’m not sure it made much difference to the goal but it’s still not great refereeing.
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56 min Spurs are unhappy with the goal. Apparently they think the free-kick was taken from the wrong position. I did not see the incident.
Digne curled an excellent free-kick from the left towards Calvert-Lewin, who towered over Dier and Alderweireld and slammed a header into the top corner. Brilliant goal.
GOAL! Tottenham 0-1 Everton (Calvert-Lewin 55)
Dominic Calvert-Lewin gives Everton the lead with a thumping header!
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54 min “Picture this,” says Ian Copestake. “Next season, Bielsa to Spurs! But who will take over as caretaker until then?”
53 min Alderweireld makes a desperate block from Andre Gomes. This is an excellent spell for Everton.
52 min James clips a beautiful angled pass over Doherty to find Richarlison, who heads wide from five yards. He must have been unsighted by Docherty jumping in front of him; with a clear view it would have been a simple chance.
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51 min Keane drives a pass over the defence to Calvert-Lewin on the left. He looks up and steers the ball back to James, who completely mistimes a first-time shot from 12 yards. The ball dribbles apologetically wide of the far post. That was a chance, certainly for him.
49 min Nothing much is happening. I’ll level with you, it hasn’t been a great game so far.
47 min “Not much chance of Lo Celso coming on,” says John Tumbridge, “if he’s not on the subs bench.”
God bless the Grauniad.
46 min Peep peep! It’s the same 4-2-3-1 formation for Spurs, with Sissoko on the right and Lucas Moura playing behind Harry Kane.
Spurs have made a half-time substitution: Moussa Sissoko is on for Dele Alli.
“There is but one problem with Mourinho,” says Digvijay Yadav. “If you are a top player playing under him, you are likely to cast envious glances at other more ‘progressive’ coaches. That makes it tougher for him convince them that having the ball isn’t all that.”
“I was just zipping through your reporting on today’s game and was baffled by the person who said the media were racist re: Jose because they criticized him,” says Claire McConnell. “ As a Chelsea fan who has supported them since the 1970s I feel well qualified to comment. The criticism directed towards him is quite justified. He used to be brilliant, both as a tactician and a man manager, and his time at Chelsea the first time was fantastic for all. The second time: not nearly so successful and managed to alienate several players. Now - he is so miserable and whiny, I cannot stand listening to him. He still has skills, but he is nowhere near the coach he used to be, and I think Spurs are going to be very sorry they ever hired him.”
One strange thing is that he is brilliant on TV, so he clearly still has plenty of his old charisma, but something fundamental has changed.
“Harry Winks rarely, if ever, plays a forward pass,” says Steven Porter. “It’s easy to have great passing stats if all your passes are 10-yard balls backwards or sideways. We need Lo Celso second half.”
You might get him, but it won’t be for Winks, at least not while it’s 0-0.
Half-time reading
Half time: Spurs 0-0 Everton
A cagey half of football. Everton dominated possession, with James looking bright, and Richarlison missed a good early chance after going round Hugo Lloris. Spurs were a bit ponderous but Dele Alli and Matt Doherty forced good saves from Jordan Pickford. See you in 10 minutes for the second half.
45+1 min Spurs get a free-kick on the left wing. Son plays it short... and Martin Atkinson blows the whistle for half-time. Oh dear.
44 min “What is going on with Harry Winks?” says Thomas Nolan. “He has barely played a forward pass in the whole game - every time he gets the ball it’s back to Dier or Alderweireld or else square to Hojbjerg - Is it just me or is he adding absolutely nothing to Spurs’ midfield so far?”
The only thing I would say in his defence is that the movement ahead of him hasn’t been great. But it looks like his main role is to spoil alongside Hojbjerg.
43 min Richarlison makes space to crack a low shot from the edge of the area that is saved at the second attempt by Lloris.
42 min: Another good save from Pickford! Doherty almost gives Spurs the lead on his debut. He clipped the ball into Kane, who waited and then scooped a beautiful return pass over the defence. Doherty ran onto it and sidefooted a half-volley that was well blocked by Pickford.
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39 min Son’s cross is headed up in the air by Alli and cleared by Digne. Spurs are starting to look a little more dangerous, mainly through Son.
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38 min Allan and Lucas Moura both limp away from a 50/50. I think they’re fine.
37 min Doucoure nicks a loose ball off Winks and gives it to James, 25 yards from goal. He moves infield, onto his left foot, and flicks a lovely shot that bounces just wide of the far post. I think Lloris had it covered, though he was scrambling desperately across his line.
34 min Kane was really unhappy with Son for not passing to him.
33 min: Good save from Pickford! Digne wins another corner for Everton, who continue their admittedly sterile domination of the game. Digne’s excellent corner is headed away brilliant by Dier and Spurs break menacingly. Son ignores Kane’s run through on goal and instead slides an angled pass to Alli, who spanks a rising shot that is tipped over by Pickford. That was a smart reaction save.
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32 min “It seems like a midfield maestro match up here,” says Jeremy Dresner. “Alli is passing waywardly and looks frustrated James passing beautifully seems instantly comfortable. That seems about the only difference in a slow burner so far.”
31 min Richarlison’s shot hits Alderweireld and spins behind for a corner.
26 min Coleman makes two excellent defensive headers in the space of five seconds, first from Doherty’s cross and then from Son’s shot. Everton break and James drags a tame shot through to Lloris with his right foot.
25 min After Winks wins the ball in a dangerous area, Kane releases Alli on the right side of the box. But his low cross is a bit wishy-washy and Everton clear.
24 min: Chance for Spurs! Son’s wicked inswinging cross from the left just evades the sliding Kane and zips bounces a couple of yards wide of the far post.
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22 min “Hi Rob,” says Stephen Carr. “Watching Spurs, one could be forgiven for thinking that Mourinho actually doesn’t like being in possession of the ball. It’s almost like he sees it as a potential problem.”
I’d be really interested to see the possession stats by season of each of his teams. He has definitely become more of a disciple of counter-attacking.
20 min The tempo of this game has been a bit ponderous. It’s a very warm day, which might be a factor.
19 min Son, who has been Spurs’ most dangerous attacker, wins a corner off Coleman. He takes it himself and Allan clears.
16 min: What a chance for Richarlison! Everton should be ahead. Davies played a very loose pass across the face of his own defence towards Alderweireld. Richarlison got there first and scooted away from Alderweireld before going round Lloris. But his touch was a bit heavy, which made the angle too tight, and he screwed his shot wide of the near post.
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13 min Everton continue to completely dominate possession. It’s still all in front of Spurs, who have settled into Jose’s beloved low block.
10 min James is seeing plenty of the ball and looks in the mood. It’s been a confident start from Everton.
8 min Everton are having plenty of possession, with Spurs happy to sit deep and play on the break. James sprays a lovely crossfield pass out to Digne, whose cross is headed away.
6 min Kane lobs a pass over the defence towards Son, who is well tracked by Coleman. Kane is such an underrated passer.
5 min At the other end, Richarlison tries a shot on the turn but misses his kick and falls over.
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3 min Kane flicks a lovely pass out to Son on the left. He cuts infield, uses the overlapping Davies by not using him and drives a low shot from 20 yards that is comfortably saved by Pickford.
1 min It looks like Everton are playing a 4-1-4-1 with James on the right wing and Richarlison the left. Allan is slightly deeper than the other central midfielders.
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1 min Peep peep! Spurs, in which, kick off from right to left. Everton are in blue.
It’s a lovely sunny afternoon in north London, and the players have their business faces on.
“This Everton lineup is a far cry from the team that beat Sheffield United 1-0 back in July, am I right?” says Matt Burtz. “ Cautious optimism is always the name of the game prior to every season, but I think it’s actually justified now. If nothing else, Allan can fill the Idrissa Gueye role that was sorely unfilled last campaign. Of course, if they lose 3-0 today, please pretend I never wrote this.”
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“Very much a side note to the new signings and high profile managers in this clash, but is this the first meeting between Son and Gomes since the unfortunate injury?” says Duncan Edwards. “Even as top pros and decent blokes I wonder what both are thinking.”
They played against each other in July as well. I doubt something like that ever leaves you, mind.
“This is what is great about the Premier League,” says Mary Waltz. “The new signings have lifted this Everton’s fan traditional pessimism. For at least one game I can ignore my teams multi-year pattern of soul-crushing mid-table mediocrity. James will regain his Colombian World Cup form. All is well in the world, at least for the next half hour.”
“Evening Rob, exciting game today with 1-0 written all over it,” says Yash Gupta. “As a Spurs fan I notice the media has downplayed Mourinho and Spurs this season. Where do you see Spurs finishing?”
So much depends on Harry Kane. If he stays fit and gets back to his 2016-18 best they could finish third; if not, somewhere between fourth and seventh I guess.
In defence of Jose
“I really don’t understand the blatant racism placed on Jose Mourinho by Guardian newsmen,” writes Pedro Maia. “Had this been directed to any other person with such amazing results it would be more than enough reason for public outcry but with Mou it seems that being extremely competent at his job allows for you to abuse the man.
“I hope this can be avoided by having honesty brought up into the discussion when talking about Mou. He’s both a wonderful human being and an amazing strategist. Pelting him is just deriding the accuracy that’s the watermark of most the Guardian sections.”
I like Mourinho a lot, and would sincerely love him to win the Premier or Champions League with Spurs and then tell the world what time it is. I agree that he isn’t judged fairly or rationally and that he’s an exceptional strategist/analyst. But in the last few years he hasn’t got close to either of those big prizes and has fallen out with a helluva lot of people at various clubs. I hope I’m wrong, but I think the likeliest scenario is that it will happen again at Spurs. A lot of great managers - and Mourinho was clearly that - lose their way in the second half of their careers.
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“‘The big summer signings for both sides all start’, eh?” sniffs Matt Dony. “No sign of Joe Hart in that Spurs line-up...”
Pre-match reading
Team news
The big summer signings on both sides all start. We’re not certain what formation Everton will play, though I reckon it’ll be a midfield diamond.
Spurs (4-2-3-1) Lloris; Doherty, Alderweireld, Dier, Davies; Hojbjerg, Winks; Moura, Alli, Son; Kane.
Substitutes: Hart, Sanchez, Aurier, Lamela, Sissoko, Ndombele, Bergwijn.
Everton (possible 4-D-2) Pickford; Coleman, Keane, Mina, Digne; Allan; Doucoure, Andre Gomes; James; Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison.
Substitutes: Virginia, Kenny, Sigurdsson, Davies, Walcott, Bernard, Kean.
Referee Martin Atkinson.
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Preamble
Hello and welcome to live coverage of a meeting between the Premier League’s eternal optimists. Despite perpetual disappointment, Spurs and Everton always come back for more with a hopeful demeanour and an open chequebook. This time the optimism stems from the fact it’s their first full season under two of the most successful managers of the modern era, Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti. Everton, too, have made some intriguing signings, particularly the darling of the 2014 World Cup, James Rodriguez.
It’s a huge season for both clubs. This might be Mourinho’s last chance to show he is still compatible with the modern footballer. And if Everton’s refurbished squad can’t improve on last season’s 12th position, they really are in trouble.
Kick off 4.30pm.
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