03 February 2024 , 14:31
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Jarrad Branthwaite netted in injury-time to earn Everton a point after Richarlison threatened to steal the show on his return to the club.
The Brazilian volleyed in the opener inside four minutes before Everton's ploy from corners saw Jack Harrison credited with a goal after he got a touch on Dominic Calvert-Lewin's close-range header. Richarlison then put Spurs in front once again with a brilliant curling finish from the edge of the box before half-time, refusing to celebrate on either occasion.
Jordan Pickford made some important stops to keep out James Maddison and Richarlison and Everton clawed back a point when Branthwaite headed in at the back post after Cristian Romero accidentally flicked on a set piece.
Here are the talking points from an entertaining match in the Premier League's early kick-off.
Richarlison on fire
Richarlison looked apologetic after opening the scoring (Simon Stacpoole/Getty Images)Return to your old club, score a goal. It always seems to happen and rarely have goals been so anticipated as Richarlison netting at Goodison Park on Saturday afternoon.
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The Brazilian striker has been in red-hot form of late and he duly delivered the goal every Evertonian had been dreading. Destiny Udogie – fielded at left-back, but increasingly more of a left-winger – exchanged passes with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg before fizzing in a cross for Richarlison to fire towards goal.
As Peter Crouch pointed out on TNT Sports, though, he still had a lot to do, with the ball slightly behind him and on the volley. Richarlison’s confidence is such that he made it look easy, firing the ball high into the top corner past Jordan Pickford in the fourth minute.
His second goal was just as good, if not better. James Maddison’s dancing feet and outside-of-the-boot pass on the edge of the box invited a shot and he agreed, bending an effort past Pickford. After one goal in 27 Premier League games in 2022/23, he now has nine goals in eight games, but out of respect for his old club he didn’t celebrate either.
Everton do their homework
Everton's ploy from corners bore fruit (Robbie Jay Barratt/Getty Images)Dyche is sometimes unfairly cast as an old school manager, as Mr No Tippy-Tappy Football who relies on grit and hard work rather than more detailed tactical work. But he is acutely aware of the minutiae of football – he mentioned xG in his pre-match interview – and had clearly done his homework for this game.
Manchester City’s winner in the FA Cup on January 26 came from a corner, with Nathan Ake scoring after Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario was pressured. Everton showed their hand early on, with Dwight McNeil putting inswinging corners into the six-yard box.
Their reward came from the fourth. Jack Harrison backed into Vicario just enough to distract him but not give away a free-kick, James Tarkowski headed it back across goal and Dominic Calvert-Lewin headed in (via a touch off Harrison). That's now 12 goals from set-pieces for Everton in the Premier League this season; only Arsenal have more. It could have been more, had Vicario not produced a great save from a Ben Godfrey header before half-time.
Van de Ven has got wheels
Micky van de Ven showed his pace on several occasions (PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)The arrival of Micky van de Ven in the summer was hailed by Spurs fans who were excited to land a highly-rated young defender who could play alongside Cristian Romero. After starting the season brilliantly, he got injured in November and only returned in January.
His importance to this side is already startlingly clear. The high line Ange Postecoglou insists on playing means recovery speed in defence is vital – and Van de Ven is undoubtedly one of the quickest centre-backs in the Premier League.
The 6ft 3in Dutchman clearly takes great pride in executing a slide tackle and there were a good few of them in the first half. But it was his efforts to get back and take the ball off Harrison in the second half that really stood out. The former Leeds man is no slouch and had a few yards on him, but was still reeled in.
Pickford’s value clear
Jordan Pickford made some crucial saves (Michael Regan/Getty Images)Pickford could do nothing about either Richarlison finish. The first rocketed into the roof of the net in a flash and the second was taken so early that he didn’t have time to set himself. But the Everton goalkeeper reminded us of his shot-stopping ability in the second half.
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Pickford wasn’t to know that Timo Werner was offside when he rushed out to meet him and read his effort to push away. He also parried a powerful effort from Maddison and a hat-trick attempt from Richarlison. It was his efforts which meant that Spurs were unable to kill the game off.
Maddison a joy to watch
James Maddison put in a great performance (Michael Regan/Getty Images)Maddison only recorded one assist for his one-yard pass for Richarlison's second goal, but his performance was a thing to behold. The former Leicester man is already the heartbeat of Postecoglou's side and his popularity with the away fans was clear when he was substituted in the 86th minute.
Maddison is a classic example of a player whose ability is sometimes hard to quantify. He has the oft-mentioned 'football intelligence' - he's not quick, but he thinks quickly and is wonderful gifted.
His performance was exceptional. He knitted play together in the final third, tested Pickford and worked hard in the press. If Spurs are to finish in the top four, then they need to keep Maddison fit.