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Match Analysis: Everton 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur

Match Analysis: Everton 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur
© PA Photos
Sports Mole analyses Everton's dramatic comeback win over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon.

A dramatic finish to what was otherwise a game full of solid defending and half-chances saw Everton overcome a 1-0 deficit to score twice in injury-time.

Everton were the better side overall until Clint Dempsey scored a deflected effort from range in the 76th minute to send Spurs on their way to what looked like a win.

However, in the first minute of stoppage-time Steven Pienaar headed home before Nikica Jelavic slotted in the winner two minutes later to condemn Spurs to defeat.

Here, Sports Mole analyses the quite remarkable turnaround.

Match statistics:

Everton:
Shots 14
On target 9
Possession 45%
Corners 4
Fouls 10

Tottenham:
Shots 7
On target 6
Possession 55%
Corners 4
Fouls 8

Was the result fair?

Yes, without doubt. Just about the only thing Everton didn't have more of was possession. Hugo Lloris was by far the busier goalkeeper and it was only really solid defending from Spurs that stopped them falling behind. After the opener, it looked for all the world that Spurs would hang on but to their credit Everton mustered two more really good chances and this time buried them.

Everton's performance

About the same as always. Many times this season they have dominated chances but come away without a reward, but this time they just about managed it. Tim Howard was rarely threatened which says a lot about Everton's performance but really only Marouane Fellaini and Pienaar – until his goal – failed to impress for the hosts.

Tottenham's performance

Really good at the back until they had to work overtime, and solid in midfield, thanks largely to Mousa Dembele, who was their stand-out performer. However it was hard to notice that Emmanuel Adebayor or Jermain Defoe were even on the pitch, they were so poor up front.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Seamus Coleman: The full-back was comfortably the best player on the pitch in the first half as he looked to bomb forward at every opportunity. In the second he faded slightly as Spurs came into it more but it was from his cross that Pienaar headed in the equaliser and his ball in to Aspostolos Vellios that Jelavic tucked in. He was vital for the Toffees.

Biggest gaffe

In a game where defences were largely on top and with very few mistakes, this award has to go, somewhat harshly, to Steven Naismith. Early in the second half he put a glorious chance wide from a Leighton Baines shot that until the last few minutes was looking to be very costly. It didn't matter in the end, but there was nothing else that could be called a gaffe.

Referee performance

Kevin Friend had an excellent game. There were two loud appeals for penalties in the first half from the hosts and he ignored the roars of the home crowd to correctly wave away both – one from Clint Dempsey and the other William Gallas. He kept on top of the game and only showed cards where necessary.

What next?

Everton: Now back into the top four, Everton face a tough trip to the Britannia Stadium to face Stoke City in a real test of their Champions League credentials.

Tottenham: Another Sunday game for Spurs next weekend as they host the unpredictable Swansea City in their attempt to return to the top four.

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Nikica Jelavic celebrates his winning goal on December 9, 2012
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