EPL: Toffees Move Four Points Clear of Relegation Zone with Victory

Everton secured a crucial 3-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur, moving four points clear of the Premier League relegation zone and boosting their survival hopes.

Everton secured a crucial 3-2 victory over Tottenham Hotspur, handing David Moyes his first win since returning to the club and providing a significant boost to their Premier League survival hopes. This win marked a turning point for Everton, who had been struggling with only one win in their last 12 league games.

The match was played under dreary grey skies on Merseyside, reflecting the gloomy mood surrounding both clubs. Prior to the game, Everton sat 16th in the table, while Tottenham occupied 15th. The visitors, managed by Ange Postecoglou, had been experiencing a difficult run, with seven defeats in their previous 11 games. This loss will only add to the pressure on Postecoglou.

Everton started the game on the front foot and deservedly took the lead when Idrissa Gueye played a precise pass to Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The 27-year-old striker showcased his exceptional close control, leaving the Tottenham defence bewildered, before calmly slotting the ball past Antonin Kinsky. This goal marked Calvert-Lewin's first Premier League strike in 17 appearances and ended Everton's dismal run of three league games without scoring.

Tottenham responded encouragingly, and Son Heung-min should have equalized when he fired directly at Jordan Pickford after being picked out by Dejan Kulusevski in the box. However, Spurs' defensive vulnerabilities were exposed, and they were fortunate to avoid conceding again when Kinsky tipped Gueye's shot onto the post.

Everton capitalized on Tottenham's defensive woes, doubling their lead with a stunning finish from Iliman Ndiaye. The Senegalese international shrugged off Radu Dragusin's challenge before unleashing a ferocious shot into the roof of the net. The hosts further extended their lead in first-half stoppage time, albeit fortuitously, as Archie Gray inadvertently turned James Tarkowski's headed cut-back into his own net.

By the end of the first half, Everton found themselves in uncharted territory, holding a three-goal lead at home for the first time since their 6-3 win over Bournemouth in February 2017. This commanding lead set the tone for a potentially dominant performance by the Toffees.

Given Tottenham's hapless defending, Everton may have felt confident in their ability to score six goals. After the restart, the Toffees continued to press, with Vitaliy Mykolenko blazing his attempt over the bar after being set up by Iliman Ndiaye. Shortly after, Dominic Calvert-Lewin turned and shot wide from Jesper Lindstrom's cross, missing another opportunity to extend their lead.

An all-action affair at Goodison Park 🍿@Everton were fully in charge at half-time, and even a late @SpursOfficial surge wasn't enough to stop the Toffees 🔵#EVETOT pic.twitter.com/z3teibGegE

— Premier League (@premierleague) January 19, 2025

Although Everton failed to add to their tally, Tottenham did manage to score a fine consolation goal through Dejan Kulusevski's sublime lofted finish. However, Richarlison made it a nervy conclusion to the match when he slid home Mikey Moore's excellent delivery, reducing the deficit to 3-2. Despite this late surge, Tottenham ultimately succumbed to their 12th league defeat of the season, a chastening experience for Ange Postecoglou's men.

The outcome of this match has significant implications for both teams. For Everton, this victory provides some much-needed breathing space in the battle to preserve their top-flight status, moving them four points clear of the bottom three. This result will undoubtedly boost the Toffees' confidence as they strive to avoid relegation.