This was the sort of result Everton envisaged when they hired Carlo Ancelotti, and not merely because a triple Champions League winner beat a two-time European champion. They had waited a long time for this: not merely the eight months of Ancelotti’s reign, but the best part of seven years.
They had not won away at ‘big-six’ opponents since Bryan Oviedo’s late decider at Old Trafford in 2013. Dominic Calvert-Lewin proved a belated successor as the man who delivered a landmark victory. For Tottenham and Jose Mourinho, however, it was a miserable start to the season.
Mourinho was out-thought by his replacement at Real Madrid. His side were out-passed and outmanoeuvred, particularly in a midfield where Ancelotti’s expensive overhaul showed initial signs of being justified.
Everton looked a team transformed after a wretched end to last season. Spurs felt incoherent and altogether less than the sum of their parts.
It would be harsh to pin the blame on Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, the debutant who brought some bite to Tottenham, got booked for fouling Richarlison but lost the midfield battle. Yet he rejected the chance to join Everton and the men who accepted enjoyed altogether more auspicious bows.
Allan was the defensive midfielder Everton bought instead and the Italian lent control. Everton’s summer failings highlighted the need for a midfield makeover and Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure added authority and power.
A defence that received better protection ought to be appreciative and while Jordan Pickford, who was error-prone in Project Restart, made a couple of fine saves, Everton were more solid.
The flagship buy brought the flair. James Rodriguez was parachuted into the team in the front three and showcased a lovely touch. He threatened a debut goal with a shot that flew just past the far post, while there were signs of an embryonic understanding with Richarlison, one South American switching play for another.
The Brazilian was menacing but profligate. Everton would have led much sooner but for his glaring miss. Richarlison read a poor pass from Ben Davies, robbed Toby Alderweireld, accelerated away from the slower defender and sped past goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, only to mar his fine work with a wild finish.
FT. Start as we mean to go on. UTT! ✊
— Everton (@Everton) September 13, 2020
⚪️ 0-1 🔵 #TOTEVE pic.twitter.com/7yvBQuuubt
Calvert-Lewin, who was waiting for a cutback, also had reasons to rue it, but nevertheless ended a personal drought.
After a prolific winter, the striker had not scored in summer. He turned the clock back six months with an emphatic finish, meeting Lucas Digne’s free kick with a bullet header. While Tottenham complained the left-back had stolen a few yards, they could also have found fault with Eric Dier, beaten to the ball by Calvert-Lewin.
After partnering Calvert-Lewin in attack last season, Richarlison has shifted to the left in the new 4-3-3 formation and whipped two shots just wide as Everton went for a second goal. Matt Doherty struggled to contain him.
In part, that was a consequence of tactics. Doherty was deployed more as the wing-back he was at Wolves, even though Mourinho fielded a back four.
That advanced station almost yielded a goal when the Irishman burst into the box to meet Harry Kane’s lobbed pass. Pickford blocked his shot just as he had tipped over a rising shot from Dele Alli, when found by Son Heung-min.
Kane had been inches away from connecting with Son’s inviting cross and the South Korean was Tottenham’s brightest attacker, even if that was not saying much.
Mourinho failed to address Everton’s superiority in midfield, though the half-time introduction of Moussa Sissoko was the start of a period of ineffectual tinkering.
Lucas Moura went from the right wing to playing as a striker to back on the right. Sissoko finished off at right-back. Hojbjerg had three central midfield partners.
Yet it felt more a case of desperation than inspiration from Mourinho. Spurs felt slow, Everton altogether sharper. Ancelotti became the first Everton manager since David Moyes to defeat Tottenham, but it was a triumph over another former Manchester United coach: Mourinho.
