Everton3 - 2Spurs

The Toffees took an early advantage, as Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored his first goal in 17 games to get the hosts going.

A superb solo strike by Iliman Ndiaye doubled Everton's lead, before Archie Gray scored an unfortunate own goal to pile on the misery for the visitors.

Tottenham threatened a fightback to make for a dramatic ending to the game, as Dejan Kulusevski and Richarlison scored what proved to be only consolation efforts for the visitors.

SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT

David Moyes will be thrilled to have secured the first win of his second spell in charge of the club with such ease, but they made hard work of it in the end.

His team were cruising at the interval, but were hanging on at the end, when they really should not have been.

Everton frightened the life out of their makeshift defence and did most of the damage in the first half, as they looked capable of scoring every time they went forward.

In the end it was the hosts that gave their own fans a scare, as they nearly surrendered a comfortable lead to a Tottenham side that did not perform well for most of the afternoon.

EVERTON VS. TOTTENHAM

Dominic Calvert-Lewin goal vs. Tottenham (13th min, Everton 1-0 Tottenham)

The Toffees have the lead!

After a bright start to the game, the hosts have a deserved advantage, as Idrissa Gana Gueye feeds the ball into the feet of Calvert-Lewin, who evades the pressure from Tottenham's defenders to slot Everton ahead against Spurs.

Iliman Ndiaye goal vs. Tottenham (30th min, Everton 2-0 Tottenham)

What a sensational goal by Ndiaye!

Gueye will claim another assist here, but this goal was mostly all of Ndiaye's work, as he collected the ball just past the halfway line and ran into acres of space, before going past Radu Dragusin to blast the ball past Antonin Kinsky.

Archie Gray own goal vs. Tottenham (45th (+7) min, Everton 3-0 Tottenham)

It goes from bad to worse for the visitors!

Tottenham's nightmare first half continues as Gray has scored an own goal to put the hosts 3-0 up just before the break.

A deep cross towards the back post was headed towards Calvert-Lewin by James Tarkowski, and Calvert-Lewin's flick on goes off the unfortunate Gray and into the net.

Dejan Kulusevski goal vs. Everton (77th min, Everton 3-1 Tottenham)

Late hope for Tottenham here at Goodison Park!

Kulusevski scores with a delicious dinked effort to reduce the deficit here on Merseyside, but have they left it too late?

Richarlison goal vs. Everton (90th min (+2), Everton 3-1 Tottenham)

Surely Tottenham have left it too late here?

Former Everton man Richarlison scores on his return to Goodison Park, as he bundles in at the back post to make it 3-2!

MAN OF THE MATCH - DOMINIC CALVERT-LEWIN

Calvert-Lewin came into this match low on confidence, but he demonstrated how well he can play when he is at his best.

A constant threat throughout the game, he got the hosts off to a flying start and played a part in their third goal too.

EVERTON VS. TOTTENHAM MATCH STATS

Possession: Everton 36%-64% Tottenham

Shots: Everton 12-11 Tottenham

Shots on target: Everton 6-6 Tottenham

Corners: Everton 3-8 Tottenham

Fouls: Everton 14-14 Tottenham

BEST STATS

WHAT NEXT?

Everton travel to Brighton & Hove Albion next Saturday, hoping to build momentum following this win against Spurs.

Meanwhile, Tottenham are in European action on Thursday, as they travel to Germany to take on Hoffenheim, before hosting Leicester City in the Premier League next Sunday.

Written by

Tom Humphrey