Spurs 1 Everton 0
A good end to a horrific season for Spurs. The last time Spurs won at home in the Premier League was against Brentford in December so it wasn’t a given that they’d win or even draw today which would have ensured safety had West Ham won which they did in the end, De Zerbi’s side came out the much better team in the first half but yet again struggled to create anything clear-cut with an attack consisting of Richarlison-Tel-Spence with Gallagher in behind so it’s no surprise that Spurs were struggling to attack. They did play with good tempo though considering the stakes in the game and did get that all important goal late in the first half as Tel’s corner was swung to the back post to Palhinha who’s header came off the post and right back to him with his rebound just crossing the line to give the home fans some relief on a nervy day, Everton were absolutely terrible throughout the game and that didn’t change in the second half as Spurs were happy with the lead knowing that even a 1-1 would have kept them up as the Toffees looked like they were on the beach having nothing to play for on the day. Even with the news of West Ham winning the Spurs players were comfortable with Everton’s best chance falling to Tyrique George nine minutes into injury time with his effort brilliantly saved by Kinsky to get Spurs over the line and ensure their safety in the Premier League.
A show of character from the Spurs players at home. Going into this game you could make the argument that Spurs would have preferred to played this game away from home considering their record at the Tottenham Hotspur Arena but they actually stood up and played with very little nerves considering the circumstances, the two standouts for me on the day was Micky Van de Ven and Joao Palhinha with the Dutchman in particular commanding that backline brilliantly albeit it was against one of the worst strikers in the league in Thierno Barry. Joao Palhinha has scored some really important goals this season for Spurs but no doubt that this one will mean the most as if Everton had got the first goal I don’t think Spurs would have survived with the attack they put out today, Mathys Tel again had a good game out on the left torching Jake O’Brien at times out there along with putting in the all important cross for the goal and I think he’s one of the few Spurs players that can hold his head high with his performances over the past few months. At the end of the day all that matters for Spurs is their survival in the Premier League and that’s what De Zerbi delivered, how far can he take this Spurs side?
A disappointing season for Everton in the end. When you look at the likes of Bournemouth, Brighton and Sunderland qualifying for Europe you can’t help but think Everton should be up along side those teams fighting for those spots, up until a few weeks ago they were fighting for those positions but their form over the last month or so losing to Sunderland, West Ham and Liverpool along with dropping points to Crystal Palace and Brentford has seen that they finish the season in 13th which has to be huge disappointment to David Moyes and Everton fans. I don’t know whether it’s just me but I there is potential in this Everton side with the likes of Ndiaye, Garner, Dewsbury-Hall etc which we did see at times this season with the likes of Jack Grealish who’s injury was devastating for Everton’s season, they had nothing to play for today but they were so poor up and down the pitch which no doubt West Ham fans won’t have been too happy with. I don’t like picking out players but Merlin Rohl on that right-wing has to be one of the worst players in the league, I really cannot understand what David Moyes sees in him as he offers absolutely nothing of any quality on that side leaving all of Everton’s attack to go through Ndiaye who has two or three players on him at a time. Where do Everton go from here next season, can they push for those European spots? They’ll have to have a big summer in the market.
So, what is the goal for Spurs next season? In the past two seasons Spurs have finished 17th twice in the Premier League so you’d think that Spurs’ goal for next season would be some stability in the league for the first time in a while but I think they should aim higher than that under De Zerbi, injuries have played a massive part in the last two seasons for Spurs hampering any chance of form but if they sort that problem out for next year along with having a good window I think they should be pushing for at least 6th next season. I don’t think that’s unreasonable given the squad they have given that their isn’t a mass exodus in the summer from the likes of Van de Ven, Bentancur, Porro etc who despite what people have said do have the ability to play in a top side, I think it’s pretty obvious that Cristian Romero will leave but with Luka Vuskovic returning I don’t see a problem at the back for Spurs next season. The real point of improvement has to be in the attack where Spurs have been horrendous all year albeit they have missed Kudus, Solanke, Maddison, Kulusevski, Odobert for most of the season but that attack still isn’t good enough to make the top 6 in my opinion, the midfield will also need a look at as Spurs are badly missing an 8 in my opinion who can get Spurs up the pitch. I thought that was going to be Lucas Bergvaal but it doesn’t seem like De Zerbi trusts him yet, there’s definitely a player in there but Spurs will need to buy a proper midfielder for next season, maybe Alex Scott? Just a suggestion.
West Ham are relegated from the Premier League. I just want to briefly mention the West Ham game where the Hammers did all they could do to stay up which was win against Leeds but it wasn’t enough as Spurs managed to beat Everton on the day, unfortunately for West Ham that game against Newcastle last week has cost them their status in the Premier League along with the appalling start to the season where Graham Potter lost his job after a diabolical run of form. Nuno Espirito Santo has been brilliant since coming in at West Ham but going with a back 3 and dropping Castellanos last week was catastrophic and ultimately left West Ham’s fate in Spurs’ hands which you never want going into the last day, there is some real quality in that West Ham side in the like of Bowen, Fernandes, Summerville etc and if they can keep at least a few of those players they will bounce back into the Premier League next season without a doubt. I wonder if Nuno will stay at West Ham for a season in the Championship next year? I can’t see it if I’m honest.