So the Hill Dickinson Stadium has been breached, with Everton finally losing their first game at their new home.
And if there was any team that was going to do it, it was going to be Tottenham Hotspur – having won more games against Everton than any other team in the Premier League era.
It was disappointing for me though to lose the goals from set pieces, especially with the same player scoring two of said goals as Micky van de Ven popped up to net a brace in the 3-0 win for Spurs. Defensively Everton never coped with Tottenham’s attackers in the box.
Everton’s striker woes continue in defeat to Tottenham Hotspur
I know I’m probably beginning to sound like a broken record, but once again Everton failed to convert early chances. A penny particularly for Iliman N’Diaye’s thoughts, who put in a great performance and caused Spurs a whole host of problems from the right flank, but each time there was simply no one there to finish things off.
Everton and David Moyes really need to find another option from a striker point of view because it’s starting to cost them points. I’m not sure what the answer is, but I know it’s not happening at the moment and so will Moyes.
As I was driving away from the stadium, I heard one Everton fan describe Beto as that riderless horse in the Grand National that keeps going even though he’s never going to win the race.
Maybe that’s a bit harsh, but as I’ve said often his endeavor and hard work cannot be criticised but as a striker, you will be judged on goals and he just isn’t scoring enough of them.
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Even when the manager mixed it up bringing on Thierno Barry, nothing changed. There is no threat in front of goal.
It’s important to say, though, that the whole responsibility for scoring goals shouldn’t be just on the strikers, Everton need more players to get involved. Good sides have always shared the goals around the team, and there is a responsibility there.
That’s why it was good to see Jake O’Brien take that chance – a goal that was eventually disallowed – with or without the infringement, it’s clear the goalkeeper was never saving it.
Merlin Rohl aiming to ‘keep improving’ after positive start to life at Everton
The second of the substitutes Moyes made was Merlin Rohl and I have to say, from the little I’ve seen of him, I’ve been impressed. He looks very comfortable on the ball and wants to take it forward at every opportunity which is great to see.
I spoke with the German midfielder after the game and he told me: “I’m delighted to get a few more minutes on the pitch, it’s good that the coach is trusting me. I want to keep improving.”
It’s very early days, but I honestly believe we have a player on our hands here. Sometimes you can just tell, and I really like the look of him.
He is calm and assured on the ball and isn’t afraid of putting himself about, I’m looking forward to seeing him progress in this team.
Overall, we shouldn’t be too down after the defeat. I didn’t think Tottenham Hotspur were that much better than Everton on the day, but they took their chances and if we can find a way to do that – especially as the busy period over November and December arrives – then we will start getting wins I’m sure.