Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the match in the Premier League between Everton and Tottenham Hotspur. This contest is the final game before Christmas, and both clubs need to get points on the board for different reasons.

Manchester City's defeat to Crystal Palace yesterday has given Spurs the chance to close the gap on the second-placed side to two points. Spurs can also move five points clear of fourth-placed Chelsea with victory at Goodison Park.

Wins for Watford, Bournemouth and Leicester City have left Everton sitting in the bottom half of the table. However, three points against Spurs will lead to the Toffees moving into seventh position.

Without further ado, let's take a look at the two starting lineups, beginning with the home side...

EVERTON XI: Pickford; Coleman, Keane, Zouma, Digne; Davies, Gomes; Walcott, Sigurdsson, Richarlison; Calvert-Lewin

EVERTON SUBSTITUTES: Stekelenburg, Mina, Baines, Bernard, Schneiderlin, Niasse, Tosun

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR XI: Lloris; Trippier, Alderweireld, Sanchez, Davies; Winks, Sissoko; Eriksen, Alli, Son; Kane

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SUBSTITUTES: Gazzaniga, Rose, Foyth, Walker-Peters, Skipp, Lamela, Moura

Everton boss Marco Silva has opted to make two changes for the visit of Spurs. The most notable inclusion is that of former Arsenal winger Theo Walcott, who has come back into the side in place of Bernard.

Silva has reverted to a back four, and that has resulted in Tom Davies being handed a rare start in midfield. Yerry Mina is the player to drop out of the backline, which is a bit of a surprise.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin has kept his place in attack after netting against Man City, with Richarlison being used on the left flank. Gylfi Sigurdsson has been retained in the position behind the main striker.

There is no place on the bench for Ademola Lookman, with Oumar Niasse being restored to the 18-man squad despite being linked with a move away from Goodison Park.

As for Tottenham, Davinson Sanchez comes back into the team having spent the past two months sidelined through injury. He has effectively taken the place of Danny Rose with Ben Davies moving to left-back.

A total of four changes have been made from the team which began the win over Burnley last weekend. Harry Winks has been handed a recall with youngster Oliver Skipp having to make do with a place on the bench.

Christian Eriksen and Son Heung-min are also back in the team with Erik Lamela and Lucas Moura only among the replacements. It's unclear whether Eriksen or Dele Alli will line up on the flank.

The bench consists of three defenders, but Pochettino still has plenty of options in an attacking sense. However, there is no Fernando Llorente.

At one stage, I doubt that there were many Spurs supporters who would have expected this man to reach 100 appearances for the club...

💯 @MoussaSissoko makes his 100th Spurs appearance this afternoon! 👏#COYS pic.twitter.com/dNRMJjQ4ev — Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) December 23, 2018

Everton head into this game having recorded just six points from their last six outings. Only Fulham, Burnley and Huddersfield Town have a worse record over the same period.

Silva may also be concerned that today's game represents their 10th at home this season - two more than they have played away from Goodison Park. Failure to take advantage of this fixture would lead to more focus being placed on away victories, and Everton have recorded just one in eight attempts.

Everton are also looking to end an unwanted streak against top-six clubs. They have not defeated an established top-six side in 22 attempts.

Richarlison and Sigurdsson have both justified their big transfer fees this season, but the duo have scored all but 10 of Everton's goals in the Premier League. They need help from elsewhere.

Spurs head into this game having already enjoyed their best-ever start to a Premier League campaign with 39 points being record from 17 matches.

All of their points have come from wins, and a victory or defeat this afternoon would equal the Premier League record for games without a draw from the start of the season, with Bolton Wanderers having gone 18 matches without a stalemate in 2011-12.

Much has been made of North London rivals Arsenal winning from losing positions, but Spurs are yet to prevail having gone behind this season.

It's not often that anyone has been able to say this but Pochettino will be looking for more from Eriksen today. The Dane scored his first Premier League goal of the season last weekend, despite having played 888 minutes of football.

PREDICTION! Spurs are the only team yet to draw in the league this season - indeed one more game without sharing the spoils would equal the Premier League record of 18 from the start of a campaign - but we're backing Everton to get something from this game. The Toffees are hard to beat at home and Spurs may therefore be forced to settle for a point. We are going for a 1-1 draw.

HEAD TO HEAD! Today's meeting represents the 176th competitive encounter between the two clubs, with Spurs registering 66 wins in comparison to 55 triumphs for Everton.

However, Spurs have put together a hugely impressive record against Everton since April 2013 with the North London outfit registering six wins and five draws from 11 games.

It has been just over six years since Everton recorded success over Spurs at Goodison Park with Nikica Jelavic and Steven Pienaar both scoring in the final minutes of the contest to secure a 2-1 triumph for their side.

It was a different story when the two clubs last met...

4⃣ 🔥 Our last meeting with Everton...

⚽️⚽️ #COYS ⚽️⚽️ pic.twitter.com/eCtNacapYZ — Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) December 23, 2018

It's time for the two teams to start making their way out on Merseyside. Everton have been below par of late, but their supporters sound up for this one.

A reminder of the two starting lineups...

EVERTON XI: Pickford; Coleman, Keane, Zouma, Digne; Davies, Gomes; Walcott, Sigurdsson, Richarlison; Calvert-Lewin

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR XI: Lloris; Trippier, Alderweireld, Sanchez, Davies; Winks, Sissoko; Eriksen, Alli, Son; Kane

KICKOFF:  Everton get us underway!

It has been a quiet start from both sides. Everton had one break down the left which came to nothing, while Spurs have had more of the ball but done nothing with it.

Nearly an opening for Everton as Calvert-Lewin goes shoulder to shoulder with Sanchez, but the Spurs man stays strong to deal with the danger.

Everton are slowly starting to get on top. A teasing cross from Gomes is delivered towards Walcott, but the winger cannot make a proper connection at the back post.

Very little has happened so far. Spurs are doing their best to get settled but despite a few passes which are easy on the eye, Everton are doing an effective job in keeping the visitors away from goal.

CHANCE!  Everton should be ahead. Walcott delivers a cross from the right but Richarlison sends a header wide from 10 yards. Sigurdsson also failed to divert the ball into the net when it became clear that his teammate's effort was going wide.

CHANCE!  Spurs almost score a goal out of nothing. Trippier picks out the run of Kane whose control is superb. The England skipper lobbed Pickford inside the penalty area but the ball hit the side-netting.

CHANCE!  Now Pickford has to remain alert to keep out a volley from Trippier. Everton are furious, however, because it looked like Son had crossed the ball after it had gone out of play.

This is a good game now. Spurs look a threat every time that they go forward. Kane is almost in again, but Zouma gets across to make an important challenge.

Spurs do well down the flank yet again but on this occasion, Everton manage to head a cross away from danger. Trippier fouls Richarlison to stop the counter moving past the halfway line.

Spurs win a free kick around 35 yards from goal. It looks too far out for a shot but Trippier, Eriksen and Kane are all taking an interest.

SHOT!  Kane tries his luck and he gets plenty of power behind his effort. However, the ball is never curling inside of Pickford's left-hand post.

GOAL!  Everton 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur (Theo Walcott)

Everton take the lead! Sigurdsson's pass picked out the run of Calvert-Lewin and after holding off Trippier, the attacker pulled the ball back for Walcott to convert from eight yards out.

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SHOT!  Kane nearly responds with an absolute worldie of a goal. The forward has options but instead opts to shoot from over 20 yards, with a left-footed curler going inches over the crossbar.

DISALLOWED GOAL!  Calvert-Lewin sends a header into the far corner of the net from 12 yards, but the referee blows his whistle having witnessed a push in the back of Sanchez.

Spurs need to find a way to calm things down. They were in full control of the contest until that goal from Walcott. Everton have naturally grown in confidence.

GOAL!  Everton 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur (Son Heung-min)

A mix-up in the Everton defence gifts Spurs an equaliser. A ball over the top from Kane looks harmless enough but Zouma and Pickford get in each other's way. It leaves Son with the chance to find an empty net from 25 yards, and the South Korean sends a terrific effort into the far top corner.

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This could be a goalfest. Spurs deserve that leveller, but they have to find a way of dominating the ball like they did during the early stages.

CHANCE!  Kane looks in the mood today but he still can't get on the scoresheet. The forward attempted to find the far corner from around 14 yards out, but he did not get enough whip on his shot.

YELLOW CARD!  Trippier goes into the book after catching Calvert-Lewin in the stomach with his studs. It's not intentional, but it's a definite yellow.

Spurs have started to sit a little deeper and it gives Digne the chance to cross from the left. However, the delivery only finds Sanchez who heads clear.

GOAL!  Everton 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur (Dele Alli)

Spurs go in front! Sissoko picks out the run of Son and the winger sees Pickford make a brilliant save to keep out his low effort. However, the ball only runs to Alli who sends a deflected first-time strike from 14 yards go into the bottom corner.

Everton are really missing the presence of Idrissa Gueye in the middle. Spurs don't have a recognised defensive midfielder either, but they are dominating in the centre of the pitch.

As we move to within five minutes of the break, Spurs have another chance to extend their lead with Son earning a free kick on the edge of the box.

GOAL!  Everton 1-3 Tottenham Hotspur (Harry Kane)

Spurs have their third and you have to say that they deserve it. Trippier's free kick struck the post - maybe via a touch from Pickford - but the ball fell for Kane who sent a composed effort from 12 yards into an empty net.

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There will be two minutes of added-on time. Silva will be desperate to get his players back in the changing room.

HALF TIME:  Everton 1-3 Tottenham Hotspur

The half-time whistle goes at Goodison Park and Spurs are well in control after coming back from an early deficit. Walcott opened the scoring for Everton, but goals from Son, Alli and Kane have left the visitors on the way to a 14th league win of the season.

Walcott's goal had appeared to put the Toffees in control after a shaky start, but Spurs deserve their advantage. Son's equaliser came as a result of a mistake in the Everton defence, and there was also a touch of good fortune about their second and third goals. However, the visitors could easily hold a wider advantage.

KICKOFF:  We are back underway at Goodison Park. Spurs have made a change with Lamela replacing Alli, who picked up a knock just before the half-time whistle.

Everton win a corner during the early stages of the second half, but Son and Eriksen combine to get the ball away.

GOAL!  Everton 1-4 Tottenham Hotspur (Christian Eriksen)

Game over, surely. A cross from Kane is only headed into the path of Eriksen who is waiting on the edge of the area. The Dane opted to hit a first-time volley towards the bottom corner and it left Pickford with no chance. It's a sensational finish.

GOAL!  Everton 2-4 Tottenham Hotspur (Gylfi Sigurdsson)

Maybe not. What an outrageous game. Sigurdsson is allowed to run across the edge of the area before finding the far bottom corner of the net from around 15 yards out. Lloris should probably do better.

© Reuters

SUBSTITUTION! Gomes has picked up an injury and Schneiderlin has been introduced in his place.

You'd be surprised if there were no more goals in this contest, but things have calmed down a touch. It's been a bizarre game. It's showing that Gueye and Dier are so important to their respective sides.

We haven't had a shot for a few minutes. I'm not going to lie - I appreciate the breather! Everton just need to avoid conceding any more goals right now.

Spurs are also happy enough to slow down the tempo. They have been lightning on the counter, but they also need to manage the game a bit more efficiency.

GOAL!  Everton 2-5 Tottenham Hotspur (Son Heung-min)

It is surely game over now. Lamela breaks from midfield and picks out Son, who takes a touch to control and slot home from 15 yards out with just Pickford to beat. However, the South Korean was marginally offside.

Silva must now decide whether to look to avoid utter embarrassment or go in search for another three goals. There are more goals in Spurs, and Silva will know that.

Spurs very nearly got in again but Pickford came out to get to the ball ahead of Lamela. There is still over a quarter of the game to go.

Sissoko picks up a knock after a 50-50 challenge with Davies. The Frenchman is back on his feet but he is walking away gingerly.

Lamela is causing all kinds of problems for the Everton backline. The substitute is positioning himself just in front of the back four, and they don't know whether to commit or drop off.

YELLOW CARD!  Eriksen is given a yellow card for failing to retreat for a free kick, but I'm not sure that he had the chance to move! A bit harsh, that.

There's not a lot happening in the game right now. Spurs don't really need to force the issue any more and will surely be thinking about their game on Boxing Day.

GOAL!  Everton 2-6 Tottenham Hotspur (Harry Kane)

Spurs have their sixth and Kane has his second. Son breaks down the left and sends a low cross into Kane, who diverts the ball into the far corner from eight yards out. Brilliant finish.

SUBSTITUTION! Everton have made a second switch with Bernard replacing Richarlison.

I'd expect Kane to be one or two Spurs players to be substituted soon. The hat-trick probably won't come into Pochettino's thinking at this stage of the season.

SUBSTITUTION! The same applies with Son. Youngster Skipp is being introduced for the South Korean.

CHANCE!  Half a chance for Everton to begin one of the greatest comebacks in Premier League history, but Sigurdsson sends a tame effort straight at Lloris from inside the penalty area.

SUBSTITUTION! Everton make a final change as Tosun comes on for Sigurdsson.

SUBSTITUTION! So does Pochettino, who gives Moura a run in place of Sissoko, who has picked up a knock.

To Everton's credit, they are continuing to look for a third goal in this match but Silva is going to be concerned with his side's performance at the back. This result will leave his team with six points from seven matches.

The name of Mauricio Pochettino is ringing out in the away end. Displays like this are surely going to tempt the Argentine into remaining at the club rather than entertaining a switch to Manchester United or Real Madrid.

Spurs want a seventh but I don't think it is going to arrive. Kane just miscued an ambitious attempt at a volley on the edge of the area.

There will be three minutes of added-on time.

FULL TIME:  Everton 2-6 Tottenham Hotspur

The full-time whistle goes at Goodison Park and Spurs have recorded an emphatic win on Merseyside. Son and Kane both netted doubles, with Alli and Eriksen also adding important goals either side of the break. Spurs now sit just two points behind Manchester City - who are second - while Everton remain in 11th spot.

That will be all from Sports Mole for this match. Thank you for joining us this afternoon and we hope to see you again soon.

If you would like to read our on-the-whistle match report, you can do so by clicking here. Goodbye for now.