A very dour game, but we won: Spurs 1 Everton 0

A very dour game, but we won: Spurs 1 Everton 0

This was our managers 200th Premier League win as we beat Everton. The most exciting bit of the night was when Hugo Lloris and Son had a handbag moment in the interval, teammates pulled both players apart and separated them. That incident has overshadowed our victory and us leaping over Burnely and Sheffield United to go 8th.

As I said, a dour game that only lighted up when Loris ran over to Son and shoved him in the back. Son tried to retaliate but was pulled away by his teammates. When both players came out for the second half, they gave each other a hug. At full time they shared a love-in, another hug before leaving the pitch. Love was certainly in the air at the end of the game.

The match was settled by Michael Keane’s own goal, as the ball deflecting in off the defender from Giovani lo Celso’s strike. After that, the Toffees barely threatened in a poor attacking display and substitute Anthony Gordon’s long-range strike, which was straight at Lloris, Everton’s only shot of note.

Going back to the scuffle between Lloris and Son: Jose Mourinho says the half-time clash between his two players was “beautiful” and “something needed for the team to grow up”.

Lloris said there was “no problem” after Monday’s match”. He then added, “It just belongs to the changing room – outside you can say whatever you want. What happened between Sonny and me is part of football sometimes,” added Lloris.

That is was as exciting as it got. God help us when we travel to Bournemouth on Thursday. Maybe we will need another fisty-cuffs if we end up having another dull game, or even – god help us – a draw or loss.

Some stats

Mourinho has become the fifth manager to reach 200 Premier League victories, with only Ferguson (322) doing so in fewer games (326).

We are unbeaten in 15 league games against Everton – winning eight – which is our longest run without defeat against an opponent in the competition.

Everton have lost half of their Premier League games in London (78 out of 156), with only Newcastle (79) losing more in the English capital.

We have kept a clean sheet in two of our past three league games – as many as we had in our previous 14.

Everton committed 18 fouls in this game – only against Aston Villa in August (18) have they conceded as many in a league match this season.

Keane’s own goal was Everton’s third in the league in 2019-20, with no side having scored more. Meanwhile, it was the fourth own goal we have benefited from this season, also a joint league-high.

What next?

We travel to Bournemouth on Thursday (kick-off 18:00 BST). Let us hope we continue our winning ways. COYS!

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