Everton secured a thrilling 3-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur at Goodison Park on Sunday, 19 January, marking a dramatic return to winning ways for David Moyes and injecting new optimism into a club struggling to regain its form.
The Toffees wasted no time in asserting their dominance, racing into a two-goal lead within the first 30 minutes. Dominic Calvert-Lewin, finally ending his 16-match goal drought, sparked wild celebrations with a crisp finish that also ended Everton’s own long-standing league misery since Boxing Day. Just moments later, Iliman Ndiaye doubled Everton’s advantage with a cool finish, sending the home crowd into raptures.
In stoppage time of the first half, disaster struck for Tottenham as young Archie Gray inadvertently turned James Tarkowski’s header into his own net, giving Everton a commanding 3-0 lead at the break. The three-goal cushion marked a turning point for the Toffees, who had failed to score more than once in any of their previous seven league matches.
But Tottenham, determined not to go down without a fight, found a spark in the second half. Dejan Kulusevski pulled one back with a brilliant lofted finish midway through the second half, reigniting hope for Spurs. Then, in stoppage time, Richarlison, facing his former club, slotted home to make it 3-2, setting up a nervy finale.
Despite Tottenham’s spirited late push, Everton held firm and saw out the win to claim a crucial three points. The victory lifts Everton to 16th place, four points clear of the relegation zone, offering a glimmer of hope for survival.
For Tottenham, the defeat leaves them languishing in 15th, just one point ahead of their rivals, deepening the gloom over Ange Postecoglou’s troubled campaign. The loss marks Spurs’ 12th Premier League defeat of the season, a stark statistic that highlights their inability to turn dominance into results. Despite controlling possession in the second half, their failure to break down Everton’s defence continues to be a major issue.
As Everton fans celebrated their long-awaited triumph, Postecoglou is left to face mounting questions about his team’s resilience and consistency. For now, Goodison Park is alive with hope, while Tottenham’s season teeters on the edge of further disappointment.
