Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Wolverine GTR" data-source="post: 20545669" data-attributes="member: 158020">Everton 1-1 Tottenham: Lamela header denies Koeman opening win <img src="http://images.performgroup.com/di/library/goal_uk/85/be/hd-erik-lamela-everton-tottenham_z1ux9tz0le471wfu93clcht32.jpg?t=-2071645186&w=620&h=430" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /> Ronald Koeman's first competitive game in charge of Everton ended all-square as Erik Lamela's second-half header earned Tottenham a point on the opening day of the new Premier League season. Despite an in-different pre-season that culminated in the sale of John Stones to Manchester City, Everton got the Koeman era off to the perfect start as Ross Barkley curled a free-kick past Hugo Lloris after five minutes.Things went from bad to worse for Tottenham soon after when captain Lloris had to be replaced by Michel Vorm after picking up a hamstring injury. Everton, who won just six home games last term, continued to impress and Gerard Deulofeu should have put them further ahead when he went through on goal, only to fire a tame strike straight at Vorm.And the hosts were made to pay for their inefficiency in front of goal when Lamela restored parity with just over half an hour remaining with a well-timed header. Tottenham dominated proceedings late on and if not for two world-class saves by Maarten Stekelenburg that denied Vincent Janssen and Lamela respectively, they would have sealed the three points. Koeman, shorn of the injured Seamus Coleman and Romelu Lukaku, as well as new signing Ashley Williams, had openly questioned the readiness of his squad in his pre-match press conference. However, Everton showed no sign of any lingering fitness issues as they got off to a flying start when Barkley's free-kick evaded the Tottenham defence and floated into the right-hand corner of Lloris' goal - the third consecutive time the England midfielder has netted in the first game of a new campaign. Tottenham came on strong as they looked for a response but it was Everton who came closest to doubling their lead with Lloris called into action to deny Deulofeu, before producing a superb finger-tip save to prevent Phil Jagielka heading in.Bar the suspended Mousa Dembele, Tottenham were at full strength but the visitors failed to test Stekelenburg until Christian Eriksen's effort was well-held by the Dutch goalkeeper. Tottenham suffered another blow in the opening period when Mauricio Pochettino was forced into a first-half change with Lloris having to be replaced by Vorm.But the former Swansea City man did brilliantly to prevent Deulofeu, operating as a striker for Everton, netting from close-range on the stroke of half-time. Pochettino made a second change soon after the restart as summer signing Janssen came on for Eric Dier, and the former AZ Alkmaar striker almost made an immediate impact as he teed up Dele Alli, but he could not keep his strike down.However, Tottenham finally found their leveller just before to the hour mark as Lamela got half a yard on Mason Holgate to head home Kyle Walker's cross. Everton refused to let their heads drop, though, and Idrissa Gueye nearly capped a superb debut with a goal, only for Victor Wanyama to produce a wonderful last-ditch challenge. Tottenham continued to build momentum as the game neared its conclusion, and would have taken the lead through Janssen if not for a terrific stop by Stekelenburg, with the Everton goalkeeper producing another stunning save to tip a Lamela strike onto the bar moments later.</blockquote>

Verification: Payakata winadi keeyak tibeda?

Top Bottom