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Matt Verri

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Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Matt Verri

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Tottenham returned to winning ways with a statement 3-0 win over Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

In driving rain, Micky van de Ven scored two first-half headers from corners to put Spurs in control.

They came under pressure after the break as Everton pushed for a way back into it, but Pape Matar Sarr came off the bench to seal victory and send Spurs up to third in the Premier League.

Here’s how Standard Sport rated the Spurs players...

Guglielmo Vicario 8

Stunning save to keep out Beto’s overhead kick. Not entirely convincing from corners but stepped up when he needed to, picking up from where he left off in Monaco.

Pedro Porro 8

Came to the rescue early on with superb block to deny Jack Grealish. Perfect corner delivery for Van de Ven’s second. One poor challenge on Grealish early on but otherwise impressive.

Kevin Danso 8

Not as eye-catching as his centre-back partner but did his job brilliantly. Everton chucked plenty of crosses into the box and he was rock solid in the air.

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Micky van de Ven 9

Magnificent captain’s performance as he led by example. Defended sensationally, some great line-breaking passes and dominated in the Everton box with two headed goals.

Djed Spence 6

Somewhat shaky display against Iliman Ndiaye, who had the beating of him. Got better as the match went on but one of his tougher afternoons.

Joao Palhinha 7

Easy to not notice him and yet nobody made more tackles for Spurs than his four. Not quite as energetic after a busy week but so often in the right place to get his foot in.

Rodrigo Bentancur 8

A firm statement after recent criticism. Nice run in the first half into box and then fired a brilliant half-volley just wide. Great desire at back post to assist Van de Ven’s opener and was everywhere in midfield.

Mohammed Kudus 8

More central role but still Spurs’ biggest threat. Ability to hold onto the ball and relieve pressure is crucial and his set-piece delivery was on the money again.

Xavi Simons 5

More needed from him in the decisive moments. Tracked back well to help Spence but fluffed his lines more than once in attack. Still waiting for lift-off moment in a Spurs shirt.

Brennan Johnson 6

One dangerous drive inside when he showed better conviction but otherwise quiet on the right wing. Not enough to grab the starting shirt for upcoming matches.

Randal Kolo Muani 7

Promising first start for Spurs. Led the line confidently and some lovely touches to play Simons in more than once. Tired after the break but team look better with him starting.

Substitutes:

Lucas Bergvall (Simons 61’) 6

Added some legs to midfield as Everton pushed in the second half. Little chance to get involved on the ball.

Richarlison (Kolo Muani 61’) 6

Should have put the match to bed when clean through but blasted straight at Pickford. Made up with it somewhat with assist for Sarr.

Pape Matar Sarr (Kudus 77’) 8

Wonderful cameo. So energetic in getting Spurs up the pitch and put match to bed with confident headed finish.

Mathys Tel (Johnson 90+3) N/A

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Spurs head to the Hill Dickinson Stadium for the first time as Thomas Frank looks to improve performances in the early weeks of his reign. Another turgid display in midweek saw Spurs scrape a point away at Monaco, which has followed a frustrating 2-1 home loss to Aston Villa last weekend, has left some fans less than impressed with the manager.

Everton has made a steady start to the season, beating the likes of Brighton and Crystal Palace but coming unstuck against Liverpool and, last time out, Manchester City. However, a good omen for Moyes and his side is that they have won each of their last five games held on a Sunday - and all under the Scot’s stewardship.

Spurs have won just one of their last five games across all competitions, and Everton remain unbeaten at their new home. Can Spurs turn the tide? Follow the game LIVE below with our dedicated match blog, featuring expert insight and analysis from Matt Verri at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Kevin Danso will continue alongside Micky van de Ven at centre-back for Tottenham against Everton, with Cristian Romero still out with an adductor strain.

Romero has missed the last two Spurs matches and is not fit to return at Goodison Park.

He has returned to individual training on the grass but it remains uncertain when he will be available to Thomas Frank again.

“Cuti [Romero] just walked out on the grass running [with] some of the performance guys,” the Spurs boss said on Friday.

“Positive, progressing, no timeframe, but I don't expect it to be a longer one.”

Destiny Udogie, who has not played for Spurs since returning from international duty with a knee injury, is also still out.

Archie Gray filled in at left-back in the Champions League but Djed Spence is expected to return to the side against Everton in a more familiar back four.

The midfield partnership of Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur has come under scrutiny. However, Frank has shown that he will turn to the duo whenever possible, particularly away from home.

This would be their third starts in a week, but Bentancur came off after an hour against Monaco and Frank has the option to rest them in midweek in the Carabao Cup last-16 tie against Newcastle.

Gray is an option in his preferred position should changes be made, while Lucas Bergvall and Pape Matar Sarr are also pushing to start having had limited minutes recently.

Wilson Odobert is a doubt after he picked up what appeared to be a rib issue against Monaco. He was able to continue before being replaced, suggesting it is not too significant a problem, but Frank was unsure over the severity after the match.

Dominic Solanke is not yet ready to return after ankle surgery and Frank has a decision to make up front.

Randal Kolo Muani has made two brief cameos off the bench and the Spurs boss could opt to give him his first start in midweek against Newcastle after admitting he is not yet up to full speed.

“I think it's fair to say he's not 100 per cent physically ready to be bombarding 90 minutes again and again,” Frank said of Kolo Muani.

Tottenham have announced that Eric Hinson has joined the club's board as a non-executive director.

A former US Navy officer and pilot, Hinson has made his career playing leading roles at aircraft manufacturers and simulation companies.

The American is also on the Space Florida board and chaired the General Aviation Manufacturers Association.

Hinson has held executive positions at SIMCOM International, Honeywell, Piaggio and Gulfstream and Spurs believe his "experience in the management of high-performance teams, strategic transformation and organisational growth" will benefit the club.

He said: “I am delighted to have been appointed to the board and to be bringing a different set of skills to support the management team.

"I am looking forward to working with Vinai, Peter and the rest of the board to support the great work already underway.”

Th aviation executive is the fifth member of what Spurs have described as "refreshed and modernised" board.

It is led by non-executive chairman Peter Charrington and also includes chief executive Vinai Venkatesham, who is responsible for the day-to-day running of the club after Daniel Levy's departure.

Matthew Collecott is operations and finance director, a role he also holds at ENIC, while Jonathan Turner is lead independent director.

“To deliver more and better for our fans requires a broad mix of expertise and experience at board level," Charrington said.

“Eric brings valuable expertise in high-performing and high-pressure corporate and military teams which, combined with the strengths of the wider team, will put us in an even stronger position to deliver on our goals.”

North Londoners escaped with a draw in a tricky test

AFP via Getty Images

Matt Verri

COMMENTS

Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Matt Verri

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Tottenham were fortunate to come away with a point after a 0-0 draw with Monaco in the Champions League.

Thomas Frank’s side were second-best throughout and could easily have conceded three or four goals, were it not for a string of superb saves from Guglielmo Vicario and some poor Monaco finishing.

It leaves Spurs unbeaten from their three European matches this season, picking up five points, but they are yet to produce a convincing performance.

Here’s how Standard Sport rated the Spurs players...

Guglielmo Vicario 9

Single-handedly earned Spurs a point. Sensational performance to save Spurs in the first half. Stunning stops denied Folarin Balogun on more than one occasion and looked much more confident with crosses. Eight saves in all.

Pedro Porro 5

Delivery really poor, particularly from set-pieces. Wasted one free-kick in a dangerous position when shooting straight into the wall and floated another straight out of play. Not great defensively either.

Kevin Danso 6

Couple of loose moments on the ball to remind everyone just how much Spurs need Cristian Romero fit. Big chance from corner in the first half was headed over.

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Micky van de Ven 8

Dominated his battle with Balogun when left one-on-one with the striker - too strong and too quick. Led the defence well with the captain’s armband.

Archie Gray 7

Superb start to the match when holding things together almost single-handedly from left-back. Overrun at times down that wing but overall impressive out of position.

Impressive: Archie Gray

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Joao Palhinha 7

Hoovered up in midfield as ever, pouncing on loose balls with several firm challenges. One of the first names on the team sheet - question is who plays alongside him.

Rodrigo Bentancur 5

Passing is too safe and didn’t offer much midfield security either, with Maghnes Akliouche regularly finding space. Enough evidence that partnership with Palhinha hampered Spurs’ creativity.

Mohammed Kudus 7

Attack relies on him so much. Not quite at his best but still looked dangerous and most threatening moments came from his crosses. Spurs can be too reliant on him sometimes, even when he’s isolated.

Lucas Bergvall 5

Failed to take chance at No10. Not found often enough but sloppy on the ball when he did have it. Usual drive was lacking in a frustrating display.

Wilson Odobert 8

Confidence is visibly growing. Bright and direct with the ball and decision-making was better than it has been, playing Richarlison in after one superb run. Deserves to keep his place but went off with a rib issue.

Injury worry: Wilson Odobert

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Richarlison 4

Poor display on his returning to the starting lineup. Didn’t hold the ball up well enough and too slow to get shot away in first half in what proved to be his only chance. Spurs need Dominic Solanke back.

Substitutes

Xavi Simons (Bergvall 60’) 4

Needs to be braver. Ruined one dangerous counter when strangely turning back and then playing poor pass.

Pape Matar Sarr (Bentancur 60’) 6

Strong burst got him in behind late on and he squared for Johnson. As dangerous as Spurs looked from open play.

Randal Kolo Muani (Richarlison 69’) 6

Held the ball up better than Richarlison. Still building fitness but could soon be leading the line.

Brennan Johnson (Odobert 69’) 4

Easy to forget he was on the pitch until his chance in the closing stages which he scuffed.

Djed Spence (Kudus 79’) N/A

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Disappointed: Archie Gray

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Matt Verri

COMMENTS

Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Matt Verri

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

It all felt painfully familiar as Tottenham toiled and somehow avoided defeat.

Once again the argument can be made that it was a positive result considering the performance, particularly away from home in the Champions League.

There are only so many times, though, that poor displays can be glossed over and a 0-0 draw with Monaco built on the same themes.

Spurs do not do enough offensively from open play and the midfield set-up is a significant contributing factor. Thomas Frank’s side could not progress the ball forward and were regularly ran through by an energetic Monaco team.

Spurs have had the least goals across their three Champions League matches out of any of the 36 teams in the competition. This was another tough watch.

Toothless Spurs fortunate

A run of 125 matches without a goalless draw has come to an end for Spurs.

This was another worrying display in a attack, against a side in Monaco who had not kept a clean sheet all season.

Spurs offered next to nothing in open play, their best chances coming from headers from their two centre-backs until Brennan Johnson wasted a late opportunity on the counter.

Again there is evidence that the midfield partnership of Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur leaves Spurs too short creatively and on another day they could have lost this match by three or four goals.

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As was the case in their last European match against Bodo/Glimt, this was a point that Tottenham did not deserve. They are unbeaten in the Champions League with five points but there are major concerns over the performances.

They sit 15th in the table and still have to face PSG and Borussia Dortmund - much more is needed.

Superb Vicario answers questions

That Spurs left Monaco with even a point was down almost entirely to Vicario, who made eight saves in a superb performance.

In the first half, with his defence parting in front of him, Vicario made two sensational stops to deny Folarin Balogun. The heroics continued after the break, pushing Aleksandr Golovin's curling strike to safety.

Vicario was also more secure with balls into the box and claimed crosses with confidence when required.

There have been questions from some Spurs fans in recent weeks, questioning the Italian's positioning among other things and calling for Antonin Kinsky to be given a run of games.

This, though, was a firm answer from Vicario that he should remain firmly in possession of the shirt.

Gray back to utility role

Archie Gray spent much of his first season at Tottenham being pulled around the starting lineup, plugging holes across the pitch as injuries appeared.

Frank has insisted this season he sees Gray as a midfielder rather than someone to use in defence, and opted for Palhinha at centre-back against Doncaster in the Carabao Cup to allow Gray to play in his more natural position.

Here, though, it was left-back duty for the teenager and he stepped up impressively to offer a reminder of just how useful he is to have in the squad.

Gray was Spurs' best defender in the early stages, producing a great challenge to halt Krepin Diatta's progress and then positioning himself perfectly to cut out Ansu Fati's pass and deny Monaco a tap-in.

With Destiny Udogie, Ben Davies and Cristian Romero among the defensive absentees right now, Gray’s versatility is crucial for Frank.

He slotted back into midfield late on when Djed Spence was brought on and with Spurs yet to find the right balance in the middle of the pitch, there is an argument he deserves an opportunity there.

Whenever and wherever he has been called upon this season, Gray has stepped up.

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The centre-back pulled out of the warm-up against Aston Villa on Sunday with an adductor issue and was replaced in the starting line-up by Kevin Danso, as he is again here.

Although Thomas Frank insisted it was not a serious problem, Romero did not train with the Spurs squad on Tuesday and has not travelled for his side's latest Champions League test.

"It's an adductor strain,” Frank said at his pre-match press conference. “We will assess it more this week before we confirm any timeframe."

Destiny Udogie will also miss the match and he has been replaced by Archie Gray in the back four, with Djed Spence, the natural replacement, dropping to the bench.

”The latest is that he got that knee irritation after international duty,” the Spurs boss said.

“We are assessing and working very hard to get on top of it. We'll know more day by day."

Mathys Tel has led the line in the last two matches, but he is not in Spurs' squad for the league phase of the Champions League and so Richarlison returns to the starting line-up.

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Tottenham travel to Monaco on matchday three of the Champions League league stage this evening, and Thomas Frank’s side will be hoping to record a win after salvaging a last-minute draw in their most recent outing. Spurs were held to a 2-2 draw by Bodo/Glimt in the Arctic Circle last time out, when Micky Van de Ven and Jostein Gundersen’s own goal hauled them back level from 2-0 down after Jens Petter Hauge’s brace.

The north Londoners are still unbeaten on the continent this term having defeated Villarreal in their opening game 1-0 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. They face a Monaco side that stole a draw in the dying embers against Manchester City on matchday two, as former Tottenham defender Eric Dier tucked away a penalty in injury time.

The Ligue 1 outfit are under new management, with Sebastien Pocognoli (yes, formerly of West Brom) at the helm after Adi Hutter was sacked. They are seventh in the French top flight table. This should be a thrilling encounter, and you can follow all the updates with our live blog below!