Tottenham 3-0 Everton: Why?

Tottenham Hotspur defeated Everton at Goodison today by a 3-0 score. Harry Kane scored twice, and Christian Eriksen also netted for the visitors. It was a terrible football match.

• On paper, Everton’s lineup looked ready to attack Spurs. In functionality, they couldn’t do anything of the sort.
• Without Dominic Calvert-Lewin, the Blues were unable to pin back Spurs’ wide defenders, which meant Ben Davies and Kieran Trippier had free rein to attack.
• While Harry Kane’s opening goal was a bit of a fluke, Jordan Pickford should have done better. Pickford takes a step towards Kane on the intended cross and gets caught out. The ball has a lot of pace on it but there’s a much better chance the goalkeeper gets a hand to it if he’s staying put.
• Sandro Ramirez played fairly well, but consistently failed to link up with Wayne Rooney, and neither player offered Cuco Martina any help defensively.
• Martina had quite a few bright moments, but isolated against one of the best attacks in the league, it was only ever going to end one way. Martina’s failed clearance late in the second half led to Christian Eriksen having an easy finish that made it 2-0.
• The halftime interval didn’t help. Shortly after the second half opened, Everton’s defenders decided that Kane didn’t need to be marked. 3-0.
• After Kane’s second goal, Everton were completely disinterested in making anything of the match. Koeman inserted three kids to increase the energy levels - Davies, Calvert-Lewin, and Nikola Vlasic - but it was too little, too late.
• Let’s not mince words - the Toffees are very bad right now. Their opponents have been clinical, but at times only because Everton are offering up chance after chance.
• There’s certainly a measure of gelling that a squad with this much turnover needs to do, but there’s no excuse for the lack of effort that was shown from way too many players today.

Unfortunately, it may get worse before it gets better. Atalanta awaits on Thursday, and Manchester United after that. Strap in.