Season › 2018-19 › News
Tottenham Hotspur vs Everton
Match Preview

Along with Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison has been ruled out of the game at Spurs
Everton bring their mercurial 2018-19 season to a close this Sunday when they make their first visit to Tottenham's new stadium.
The Blues are hoping to end their Premier League campaign on a high by beating Spurs on their own patch for the first time in 11 years and thereby secure eighth spot ahead of Leicester City.
Marco Silva's side come into the final day of the season two points better off than the Foxes so would only need to equal their result against Chelsea while Watford would need a huge swing in goal difference to leapfrog both clubs.
Everton will be without Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin for their game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after Silva revealed that both players have been ruled out through injury, while Seamus Coleman is rated as doubtful with a knock of his own.
Richarlison has been struggling with the rib injury that necessitated his withdrawal against Manchester United and Burnley while Calvert-Lewin picked up an injury in training.
"Let's see if Coleman can play or not,” Silva said in his pre-match press conference. “He will be a doubt. Let's see tomorrow. It's nothing special, a small problem in his groin.
"Richarlison came out of the last game with a problem with his rib. He will be out of the next game, definitely."
Silva is able to call upon André Gomes for the first time in three matches now that he has served his suspension for a late tackle on Aleksandar Mitrovic in the defeat at Fulham last month but that would mean a difficult decision for the manager. Morgan Schneiderlin has performed impressively in the Portuguese's stead in recent matches but Gomes has been first choice when fit and available.
Should he be selected, there is a chance that it would be Gomes's last appearance for the Toffees as speculation continues to swirl that Tottenham are close to agreeing a deal with Barcelona for the midfielder. Gomes has offered a number of hints on social media that he was prepared to sign for Everton this summer and Silva said that he was unaware of any decision having been made by the player.
“The only feedback I have had until now is from André and what he said to me because our relationship is really honest. He and his agent also said that he hasn't decided anything about his future.“
Coleman's potential absence offers another chance for Jonjoe Kenny to impress on what would be his first start since the defeat at Watford in February while Ademola Lookman and Theo Walcott will be vying for Richarlison's spot wide on the right. Up front, meanwhile there's an opportunity for Cenk Tosun to lead the line.
With Spurs still coming down from the euphoria of their dramatic win over Ajax in the Champions League semi-final, effectively guaranteed a top-four finish, and with their minds perhaps wandering to their big game in Madrid on 1st June, this could be a good moment for Everton to play them.
The Blues are well overdue for a win on the ground of a top-six side and based on their recent form they are fully capable of registering one to see out the season on a positive note.
Kick-off: 3pm, Sunday 12 May, 2019
Referee: Andre Marriner
Last time: Tottenham Hotspur 4 - 0 Everton
Predicted Line-up: Pickford, Kenny, Keane, Zouma, Digne, Gueye, Gomes, Sigurdsson, Walcott, Bernard, Tosun
Full details: ToffeeWeb match page
Reader Comments (61)
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2 Posted 10/05/2019 at 23:19:08
Failing that I would throw Walcott up front as many have called for before, as he is ineffective on the right wing slot.
You say there is nothing to play for, we should still be aiming for a win, it means a few million quid between 8th and 10th, and it would surely be a good yardstick if we could get another 'top 6 scalp to add to our recent run of good results.
3 Posted 10/05/2019 at 23:33:22
Jonjo can slot in for Seamus, leave Schneiderlin in and play Gomes in MF with Siggy Bernard and Walcott up front.
That should be enough to worry a Spurs side without Kane, Son,Vertonghen, Davison and Danny Rose.
4 Posted 10/05/2019 at 23:49:30
Derek, players who were under 21 on January 1st are eligible to play every game, but I doubt that Silva would play Hornby, Gordon or Sambou ahead of Tosun in this fixture.
Just hope we don't go causing any more unwanted injuries to Tottenham's squad.
5 Posted 11/05/2019 at 00:48:55
However tomorrow should be an opportunity for the players and manager to say ‘this is us now'
He should look to next season, to continue this form and not play players with an uncertain future at the club.
Personally, and this won't happen, I'd play Walcott up front for the simple reason that he's got more chance of being here next year. I also would say that Tosun hasn't had enough time but he retains some value and we could definitely use that towards someone better.
On the right I'd differ again and play Davies. I remember seeing him play as a right back in pre season under Koeman and I thought that it would be his future role. He can tackle, he can run, he can pass and a great engine. Of course he is young and will develop.
Being Silva though ld expect no surprises... that means Tosun up top with Walcott on the right. Pretty much what Lyndon predicts. That's the thing with Silva we know what to expect. I'm hopeful we will get a result on Sunday and that next season we will be stronger as I think the players are with the manager. Maybe he will learn how to change tactics mid game if something isn't working.
It will be interesting to see Spurs line up. There are a few weeks till the biggest game in their history. Do they need to rest players now? Anyway... coys!!
6 Posted 11/05/2019 at 02:05:39
Hope Spurs win the European cup...
7 Posted 11/05/2019 at 02:30:01
With lots of practice DCL who I believe is a few years older than Origi can improve his technique but instinct is impossible to learn or teach.
My observations over 50 years of coaching amateurs of all ages have shown this to be the case.
8 Posted 11/05/2019 at 04:10:46
Everybody want the top class striker and they start at £100M, even if we had that kind of cash to splurge, others can and will trump our bid.
Unless Brands can unearth a hidden gem, or the Academy delivers, were going to be chasing that dream.
9 Posted 11/05/2019 at 07:55:03
DCL has led the line physically for most of the season, a perfect apprenticeship but next season he has served his time and must produce an end product.
He will make a fine living as a professional footballer and has many admirable qualities, but without goals he will never reach the heights his other qualities deserve.
11 Posted 11/05/2019 at 08:45:52
As close to like for like as we have, hopefully see Simms or someone on the bench to give us a glimpse at the future?
12 Posted 11/05/2019 at 09:22:23
A chance for these two players to fade, and fade fast, or shine and rekindle the spark and passion we need to play for EFC.
Dick, @7, I agree and it's now or never for DCL, next season. It needs to happen if he improves his positional take up and anticipation, and shooting he'll have a chance.
13 Posted 11/05/2019 at 09:49:19
I think Walcott, Tosun, Schneiderlin will start for shop window reasons. Lookman will get his usual 15 mins of fame.
I fear it maybe a flip-flop day on Sunday. A pre-season type game with most of the players just going through the motions.
14 Posted 11/05/2019 at 09:59:00
I imagine that despite the euphoria of reaching the Champions League Final, the trip will have drained the Spurs team both physically and emotionally. The question for Everton is... will the players be "on the beach" or looking for another Big Six scalp?
15 Posted 11/05/2019 at 11:16:28
We need a good performance tomorrow to show the past few weeks have been what we can expect next season. Our record there is not good, so hoping Wednesday took a lot out of them.
My heart is saying 2-0 to us, my head hasn't got a clue !!
16 Posted 11/05/2019 at 11:22:03
I don't think we've had so much as a point against Spurs since Koeman's very first match in charge back in August 2016 that's how bad our record is against them.
Whoever plays we should be professional, Tottenham are bound to be emotionally knackered after what happened in Amsterdam on Wednesday so let's hope we can finally take advantage and use it in our favour.
We need to start improving on our shoddy away form which seems to have gone on for years.
17 Posted 11/05/2019 at 12:21:18
18 Posted 11/05/2019 at 12:27:03
19 Posted 11/05/2019 at 13:36:19
20 Posted 11/05/2019 at 14:07:01
21 Posted 11/05/2019 at 14:20:14
22 Posted 11/05/2019 at 15:05:13
Since the formation of the Premier League in 1992
Everton have won just 8 of 51 meetings home and away against Tottenham Hotspur.
Wow that's utter shit lol
24 Posted 11/05/2019 at 15:09:03
25 Posted 11/05/2019 at 15:21:51
Every game matters and every game should be one that we want to win. You can never gain perfection if you don't strive to be the best you can be in every game that you walk out to play in.
I'm not really interested in next season yet because, as far as I'm concerned, we know what we need for next season. We know we need new faces, we can't pretend we have the answer already in our squad to certain areas, we need new faces that's a fact and a quality striker for sure and to bust a gut to sign Zouma.
I'll let Brands and Silva take care of that but right now I want to see them go out tomorrow and win another game to end the season on a real positive not, I'm sick to death of losing in London on the last day of the season.
26 Posted 11/05/2019 at 15:46:32
Kenny Keane Zouma Digne
Davies Gueye
Lookman Sigurdsson Bernard
Tosun
Subs: Virginia, Jagielka, Baines, Gomes, McCarthy, Walcott, Simms
27 Posted 11/05/2019 at 16:16:31
28 Posted 11/05/2019 at 16:22:49
29 Posted 11/05/2019 at 16:24:16
I think Schneiderlin has found some sort of new lease of life since returning to the side and looks like the player the fans initially fell in love with, plus he's been bringing the best out in Gueye lately too!
Schneiderlin to start and depending on how the game develops I'd expect Gomes thrown on in the last 25-30 minutes if a varied approach is required.
Kenny is a weak link and looks out of his depth, Coleman will be a miss because he's another player who returned to better form lately after a pretty average start to the season.
31 Posted 11/05/2019 at 17:27:58
I would love us to get Gomes signed but I think Zouma is more important. It's been an encouraging end to the season. I just hope them lot win nowt, then I can enjoy the summer.
32 Posted 11/05/2019 at 18:45:23
33 Posted 11/05/2019 at 18:56:52
This is a chance to set us up for a positive summer, ending the season breaking our woeful away form at the top 6.
We can start the new season having ended this one beating 4 or the top 6, and drawing with another (and taking the title out of their hands in the process).
2-0 Everton. COYB
34 Posted 11/05/2019 at 19:27:40
35 Posted 11/05/2019 at 19:34:44
Even if they play, Son, Alli etc will be making sure they don't get injured.
1-0 win tomorrow, Digne.
36 Posted 11/05/2019 at 19:51:16
If Chelsea slip up tomorrow, and THFC beat us they will finish 3rd so guaranteed CL next year. The point I am trying to make is that potentially (I think) tomorrow's game is not the dead rubber for them that some are assuming. In any event the points about them protecting players are salient and I think we will come away with a draw. Love it to happen but can't see us winning tbh.
37 Posted 11/05/2019 at 19:58:22
I wonder if players still do this sort of thing in order to get an edge. Tommy Smith and the hospital menu got mentioned recently in his obituary in one of the papers.
38 Posted 11/05/2019 at 20:03:43
There's five places for English teams in the Champions League next season.
39 Posted 11/05/2019 at 20:04:01
40 Posted 11/05/2019 at 20:38:21
15-8-15. . 500
We're better than that. Let's in and go out on a high, with a winning season for Marco's first in charge.
41 Posted 11/05/2019 at 20:59:35
Without Richarlison and DCL it could be really tough but as people are saying, Spurs may have absentees in view of the big one agains't RS. They certainly can't afford any more injuries but they do need at least one point to make sure of fourth place so I am thinking of a boring 0-0 draw given that Spurs haven't had a draw so far.
Would be a fitting end to a yawn of a season.
Some Everton players may also be thinking of other things and the likelihood is that both Gueye and Zouma will be gone along with certain others who do not sit favourably with Silva.
Hopefully, Silva has some possible answers to these problems already swirling in his mind for the close season.
I suppose tomorrow will see Tosun and Walcott up front which doesn't give me much confidence about a winning end to the season but you never know in this game.
42 Posted 11/05/2019 at 21:00:26
43 Posted 11/05/2019 at 21:02:42
46 Posted 11/05/2019 at 21:41:57
Son is suspended. He got sent off at Bournemouth last week.
47 Posted 11/05/2019 at 21:49:02
That reminds me of the huge furure in the London papers about Sandy Brown's warning to Chelsea darling Peter Osgood that went along the lines of, 'Nutmeg me again and I will hurt you.'
48 Posted 11/05/2019 at 22:01:44
49 Posted 11/05/2019 at 22:08:04
50 Posted 11/05/2019 at 22:16:08
The only way that 4th doesn't get in the champions league is if the champions league winners and the europa league winners both finish outside the top 4.
Then the top 3, plus both European winners will get in the champions league.
Since Liverpool are top 4, Spurs are pretty much guaranteed it unless the unlikely results mentioned above happened.
51 Posted 11/05/2019 at 00:02:33
53 Posted 12/05/2019 at 08:15:57
54 Posted 12/05/2019 at 09:09:15
I'm not sure you can resemble Kenny with Alexander-Arnold to be honest.
One is a semi decent backup right back at the age of 22, the other is a super fit technically gifted roving fullback.
From what I've seen of Jonjo Kenny he looks a stopgap capable of being a decent tackler but nothing exceptional.
Davies on the right would be purely insane, he possesses no pace, no trickery and his passing his at times very astray, that would be a right hand side that simply focuses on negating Tottenham and would offer zilch going forward.
People might right slag Walcott off but hey, this is a player, a winger that has scored the same amount of league goals as our main striker this season.
55 Posted 12/05/2019 at 09:27:11
Back 3 pages of Mirror has Richarlison going to Athletico Madrid, Gomes to Spurs and now Digne to Spurs too!!
Followed by gushing praise of Klopp which I skip over, a special column from Fowler which I skip over. I glance through Arsenal and Chelsea and Spurs all looking forward to the upcoming finals! I'm jealous I have to admit !!
Then I turn over to a two page special on Leon Osman which is nice but it hits me that the article is nearly all about how Everton in the Community helps people with mental health problems! I'm very proud and impressed they do but it really hit me this morning, all our former contemporaries have huge end of season pivotal games to play for including today's opponents ( who we were equals with 5 years ago) and we are in the paper for no playing headlines! Oh and all our best players are leaving too !!
A huge summer ahead we must keep these players and aim to join and beat our former contemporaries! Starting today !!!
56 Posted 12/05/2019 at 10:13:28
Apparently Wolves are non-entities too, Liverpool just have to turn up today apparently, and it's down to City at Brighton, who are unbeaten in their last two games, Wow, not an easy task by any means for a team that has bought success!
57 Posted 12/05/2019 at 10:35:22
Can't really say too much because people connected to the club probably read TW, but someone was put right in there place, especially because they had threatened this person with the sack, but then backed down, because this person was 100% right, and only stating the obvious.
Football clubs, should be viewed by how well there team is doing out on the pitch, and this is why I hope Everton, are gearing up for a very big summer, and hopefully getting ready to really compete with the big boys once again?
58 Posted 12/05/2019 at 12:51:39
He was a poor signing as far as I am concerned and nothing he has shown has made me have a change of heart about him. For me he is a player we need to move on at the seasons end
59 Posted 12/05/2019 at 13:09:51
60 Posted 12/05/2019 at 13:22:50
I didnt watch the whole game but Mason seemed to play ok. The WBA team was set up to stifle the home side with 5 defenders and play for a bore draw. It was too conservative an approach from their manager. WBA will adopt a more offensive approach midweek in the second leg, maybe a 433, Mason will be tested and should be a good match.
61 Posted 12/05/2019 at 13:48:37
62 Posted 12/05/2019 at 13:55:21
Unfortunately I doubt Spuds will be thinking they are 99.9% home and hosed. I can still see us getting that narrow away win though ; new stadium, new records.
63 Posted 12/05/2019 at 13:58:11
Be worth a long shot bet for the gamblers among us.
64 Posted 12/05/2019 at 14:00:20
We, long suffering Evertonians can but hope once again that the next season will be the breakout one that elevates them to a bona fide top six (or top four) outfit.
Much depends on Silva and Moshiri and what they do in the close season taking into account which players will not be part of the equation and I suppose we will know soon enough after today.
C.O.Y.B.
65 Posted 12/05/2019 at 14:03:08
66 Posted 12/05/2019 at 14:16:24
They've now updated it to: Liverpool look to make history and overhaul Man City.
A slight improvement but still very much focused on the shite rather than City.
67 Posted 12/05/2019 at 16:02:54
Why play Zouma right back. He or Keane should partner Mina who is still very much unproven but is a perm signing.
Kenny should definitely be right back and Schnides axed for Gomes. Alternatively change formation and play 3 centre backs.
This is why so many fans can't understand managers and in our case believe in Silva. Also why not start Lookman?
Let's sat we loose 4-0 I'd rather watch what Mina and Lookman could bring to the team for next season rather than Walcott and out of position players.
It's like a 4 year old saying let's play Pickford as striker. He's got a big kick on him. You just wouldn't.
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1 Posted 10/05/2019 at 22:40:56
Re Gomes, all the reports about a deal with Spurs quote one article in Diario Sport (Barcelona):
https://www.sport-english.com/en/news/barca/andre-gomes-close-to-tottenham-move-for-30m-euros-7447845