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Everton 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur
For those of you not watching the rugby, welcome to the last of the day’s football coverage. And it’s an interesting game. Will Tottenham’s tilt for third fall off the tracks altogether? They badly need a good result – even a win – after bad defeats against Arsenal and Manchester United. The only problem is that Everton isn’t exactly the best place to go for that, given that they’re unbeaten in nine.
Louis Saha is on the bench for Tottenham, since it’s actually against Premier League rules to have a gentleman’s agreement.
The teams:
Everton: Howard, Neville, Heitinga, Distin, Baines, Coleman, Osman, Fellaini, Drenthe, Cahill, Jelavic. Subs: Mucha, Hibbert, Jagielka, Stracqualursi, Gueye, Rodwell, Anichebe.
Tottenham: Friedel, Walker, Kaboul, King, Assou-Ekotto, Bale, Sandro, Parker, Modric, Defoe, Adebayor. Subs: Cudicini, Van der Vaart, Saha, Kranjcar, Rose, Livermore, Nelsen.
Referee: Mark Halsey
Tottenham certainly don’t look like a team who’ve been badly beaten – scoreline-wise – in their last two. Very positive and purposeful start with Bale haring down the wing.
An interesting formation for Spurs, though, with Baleon the right and Luka Modric on the left. Wouldn’t appear to get the most out of their talents.
Both teams still feeling each other out to an extent, with Everton have coming back into the game more. They are the second lowest scoring team in the Premier League, though, so this was never going to be a goal glut.
GOAL! Everton 1-0 Tottenham
Jelavic hits his first goal for Everton after 22 minutes but, as good as the finish was, you have to look at Younes Kaboul. He let Leon Osman in far too easily to set up the chance. Tottenham have a job to do… again.
The goal has really livened this game up with shots suddenly being fired at both ends. Seamus Coleman and Gareth Bale both have a go.
As has happened before in this fixture, Everton mostly handling Bale well. Coleman and Baines doubling up on him. The winger badly needs Walker to start overlapping to create space to exploit.
Friedel has to fly across the box to deny Jelavic a brilliant second, the striker delivering a free-kick supremely. Might have just lacked a bit of power to really put the keeper in danger though. It looked spectacular, mind.
Spurs enjoying a spell of pressure but no cutting edge. They essentially look exactly what they are: some good individuals in the wrong positions, meaning there’s little cohesion.
The second half starts. No changes from Redknapp in terms of substitutions, surprisingly.
Brilliant tackle from Distin at the edge of the box to block a Modric strike. Everton are pressing Spurs very quickly all over the pitch here.
Saha about to come on for Adebayor. Perhaps surprising Redknapp chooses the Togolese striker to come off. Defoe tested Howard only moments ago, however.
Younes Kaboul blazes a free-kick over the bar at the edge of the box. Sums up Tottenham’s game. Not sure whether it’s the lack of form or lack of a familiar shape but they’re struggling for creativity and increasingly resorting to such sledgehammer attempts.
Van der Vaart coming on for Sandro as Redknapp finally – and radically – changes shape.
What would you put Spurs’ recent slump down to? Distraction, Redknapp overplaying first XI early on or just inevitable poor run?
Jelavic going off to a standing ovation after scoring on his Goodison debut with Stracqualarsi coming on.
Still much the same from Spurs. Banging their heads – or, rather, the ball – off the brick wall of Everton’s defence.
Five minutes left, Spurs have a corner and bring on Jake Livermore for Scott Parker. They must go for this now.
A comedy of errors there from Spurs, illustrating their frustration. First, Assou-Ekotto plays a ludicrous backheel near his own box.With Bale realising he isn’t going to get there, he throws himself to the turf over Leon Osman’s challenge. The Welsh winger then objects to the Everton man’s complaints, pushing him rather forcefully. No action though.
So close for Spurs! With Friedel in the box causing problems, Saha shoots at goalbut his effort hits post, hits Howard and goes out!
FULL-TIME: Everton 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur
Yet another big result for Everton – if only they could start a season so strongly. Spurs, however, might be starting to have the same problem at the other end of the campaign. Their third place – and arguably even fourth – is suddenly looking a lot less secure.
Ah lads look at the caption on the photo.. ‘tries to get a better view’, he fell on his hole!
Kilgarve and Clancy should be disciplined, but all in Connacht know that wont happen. Disgraceful officiating which the Irfu will stand over
Nothing to do with TMO. He is second to the ref and can only answer the question he is asked.
Maybe…..but we all know the question was incorrect! Diliberate? I’m fairly sure what I think having witnessed Clancy in the past
That’s the 2nd try in an inter pro that went against Connacht by ridiculous refereeing decisions. Why always Connacht!! Wat do we have to do to get a break with the refs
Clancy is a terrible ref, but lam blaming him for the loss is pathetic. Leinster were the better side for 80 minutes, and how Connacht didn’t have at least 2 yellow cards inside 15 minutes is a mystery.
I dont see anyone blaming him for the loss Brian. Perhaps you can point that out? As Connacht fans we are sick and tired of big call after big call going against this team. Its gone beyond farcical. Apart from the try Clancy completely refused to ref the scrum. Connacht killed Leinster on 5 different occasions (3 in kickable positions). Leinster were pushed back and lost their shape completely but he waited and waited until Redden could manage to get his hands on the ball.
Agree Connacht were lucky not to get a yellow in first 15 mins but thats par for the course with most refs. You dont see teams getting the bin until they have been warned a number of times. Especially in the first 20 mins.
I have never seen a referee give a try before that nobody saw grounded (apart from penalty tries).
Brian go home, you’re drunk.
Although that was the wrong call Connacht were never going to win this by giving away 18 penalties and being unable to hold onto ball.
That ref was the worst I ever seen. He gave every little decision to home team. He was shocking and a disgrace and again a wee team come to Dublin and get that. Shame shame on you ref and hope the next time you slip you DONT get up. Shambles. Come on ulster.
Did “every little decision” include not sending any Connacht to the bin in the first 15 minutes despite 5 penalties conceded in your 22?
Leinster were the better team and deserved to win. I really hope Connacht press on for the rest of the season, but the constant bitching about referees every time you lose is tiresome.
Leinster got all the decisions also at thomond park! Different ref same story !
What about constant breakdown penalties not given against leinster? In off feet in from the side and plenty of pushing beyond the ruck which I’m fairly sure isn’t legal.. went on the whole match too
Why is every Connacht loss is greeted by whinging about referees.
“I’m fairly sure isn’t legal”. You are blaming the ref and admitting you don’t know the rules in the same sentence!
Eh hello, what about McCarthy in the same fifteen minutes preventing Connacht players entering ruck from an offside position repeatedly. The Kearney knock on he waved as knock backward then changed his mind, or the scrum it came from where Leinster scrum splintered but no penalty? Nope he did not Ref both sides equally, but the try decision at that stage of the game was criminal for a guy already named for a 6N game. Bet the Welsh and Scots are looking forward to his stewardship of their game, and being talked down to by George…!
Reality is connacht scored 0 you don’t win games from that and before you downvote I’m a Connacht fan
Regardless of the try leinster were the superior team and fully deserved the win.
Ah lads, probably should have been a yellow in the first 20 minutes for Connacht. Leinster probably deserved it despite trying to lose the game at a few points.
Typical! Gotta make sure Connacht don’t knock one of precious provinces or regions out of the champion cup! It’s a conspiracy! Shenanigans!
Eh Spodgy it was Pro12 league game not European cup
As a Leinster fan I have to say a lot of questionable calls went our way, including the Try. Clancy shouldn’t have asked “is there any reason why I can’t award the Try”. Try or no Try should have been the question and we couldn’t see the ball being grounded. But I’ll take it.
Only one team tried to play rugby and do you lot not get tired of blaming ref’s tmo’s the irfu or anyone else when you lose
Yes, we do. We really, really, REALLY are sick of watching game after game being affected by massive, often incorrect, often bizarre ref decisions. That being said as many have said from Connacht, Leinster deserved the win. . . but surely you would be aggrieved too, if 90% of your team’s games involve scenarios like the above, which are almost always externally universally empathised with. If I am being honest, the try decision today barely registered for me on the richter scale of nonsense compared to what I’ve witnessed regarding poor officiating in Connacht games.
Typical clowns on hear siding with with ref. Fact is he leans towards Leinster every time and all who think he does not should cop on. Fact is your team are toothless and and you Irish reps showed that in World Cup. Such a shower of cowards you lenister are and how you proved that in champions cup. Leo Cullen should wise up and leave these sissies and yellow necks to themselves. Rotten cowards fact,
Are you talking about the players who, making up the bulk of the national team, have won back to back six nations for their country – have been consistently the top northern hemisphere side for the past 3 years and are above you in the domestic league? Get a grip and stop whinging. 95% of rugby followers in the country have been delighted with connachts performances over the last 2 seasons – but bitching and moaning is a sure fire at to reverse that.
Cry me a river
@ rogue ref, the only coward around here (not hear) is you hiding behind anonymous profile spouting rubbish about our national team. Back to back 6N champions, topped our group in RWC but fell to a much improved Argentina side when missing key players. Shame on you fool
Rouge those same Leinster players who won HC’s and as such allowed conaught to play their biggest games in their history on these Leinster players coatails. Come back when you qualify for the big competition on your own merits.
It might take a while