Phil knows Merseyside football inside out, and has been at a number of our matches recently - so, who better to cast a neutral eye over what could be in store in N17 this weekend?
First up Phil - Everton - it doesn’t seem long ago they were on the tails of Liverpool and vying for European places - what’s been the story over the last few weeks?
Phil: "When Everton beat Chelsea in late March, there were genuine hopes that they could bring European football back to the club, but since then they have gone downhill and their small squad looks like it has run out of gas. They have developed an unfortunate habit of conceding late goals, as they did when losing at West Ham United and at home to Liverpool in the Merseyside derby, which felt like a real body blow and a big missed opportunity. They also lost leads against Manchester City, Crystal Palace and Sunderland, which has proved damaging to confidence and their points tally, meaning the European dream evaporated. What has also been crucial is that their two most creative players this season, certainly once Jack Grealish was ruled out for the season, Iliman Ndiaye and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, have looked jaded recently. They have both been outstanding for so much of the season, but have not been quite as influential recently."
Tactically, how has David Moyes played it in recent matches?
Phil: "Pretty much as he has all season. He’s been using Jake O’Brien as right-back. He is a central defender by trade but right back has been a problem for Everton this season, one which they should have solved in the summer, so he has been pressed into service. The experienced pair of James Tarkowski and Michael Keane have been in central defence, but Everton have been defensively vulnerable in recent times in that area. David Moyes has used a loan striker pretty much all season, with Beto being used ahead of Thierno Barry in recent weeks. The lack of high-class striker has hurt Everton this season, but Beto has a habit of getting better as the season goes on and this has happened again. He has been their main marksman in recent weeks, looking a threat and getting goals as he has been selected ahead of Barry."
James Garner has certainly caught the eye - what can you tell our fans about his performances?
Phil: "He’s had an excellent season and it was great news for Everton when he signed a new contract recently. He has also won England recognition as well. Thomas Tuchel did not select him for his World Cup squad, but he is a great admirer of Garner. He has occasionally had to fill in at right-back, but his real influence is in midfield, where he is competitive with a great range of passing, good at set pieces and also with an eye for a goal. Garner will play a big part in Everton's future."
The big question - you’ve been to quite a few of our games, you know Everton inside out - what are you expecting on Sunday?
Phil: "Good question given Everton's recent form. If they get it right, you will see a team that has been much better away from home this season, winning at places like Aston Villa and Manchester United, whereas their home form has been poor, losing eight and only winning six this season. This makes them dangerous, although they look like they have run out of steam, but a typical David Moyes team. Organised. Well-drilled. Competitive. And a Moyes team gives out no free passes, as they proved by almost beating Manchester City at home recently. Unless I’m mistaken, they will not have their flip-flops on this Sunday. As for Spurs, I won't need to remind anyone of their poor home form this season, but this needs just one last big push on and off the field, to get the point they need. I'm expecting a great atmosphere at that wonderful stadium."
Finally Phil, from a professional perspective, what’s it like covering a game like this for the BBC? And then you’re off to the World Cup!
Phil: "This will not be great reading for Spurs fans, but there is always excitement when you are covering a game on the final day of the season with so much riding on it. And this time it is for Spurs. This has happened a lot in recent seasons (where Everton have been involved on occasions) and you never lose the feeling and tension of being somewhere covering a game where the stakes are high. Who knows what the outcome will be? Although we obviously now how Spurs will want the story of this season to end. And then it’s off to America for almost six weeks at the World Cup. It’s my seventh World Cup stretching back to Japan and South Korea in 2002 and the feeling is the same every time. It will be an adventure, a time of real excitement – and maybe I’ll even see England win this time having covered five European championships as well. Bring it on."