Tottenham deeper in crisis as Everton beats them

Tottenham Hotspur’s dismal season hit another low on Sunday as they suffered a 3-2 defeat to Everton at Goodison Park. The match marked a triumphant return for David Moyes in his second stint as Everton manager, as his side capitalized on Spurs’ defensive frailties to secure a vital win in their fight against relegation.

Everton strikes early under Moyes

Everton started the match brightly, and it didn’t take long for them to find the breakthrough. In the 15th minute, Idrissa Gueye played a perfectly weighted through ball to Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who calmly slotted the ball into the net. The goal ended a four-month drought for the striker and set the tone for a first half dominated by the hosts. Tottenham’s defensive vulnerabilities were on full display as Everton continued to push forward. Calvert-Lewin came close to doubling his tally, and Orel Mangala struck the post with a curling effort. The pressure eventually paid off when Iliman Ndiaye picked up the ball near midfield, charged unopposed through Spurs’ defense, and unleashed a thunderous shot to make it 2-0.

Defensive chaos leaves Spurs reeling

Just before halftime, Tottenham’s woes worsened. Poor defending combined with bad luck resulted in Archie Gray, deputizing for the injured Micky van de Ven, scoring an own goal. The own goal pushed Everton’s lead to 3-0 and sent the home crowd at Goodison Park into raptures. For a team that had celebrated just one league goal in their previous six matches, the first-half performance was a revelation. Meanwhile, Ange Postecoglou could only watch grimly from the sidelines as his team unraveled. With their defensive shape in tatters, Spurs faced an uphill battle going into the second half.

Spurs rally too late

Tottenham showed some fight in the second half but left it far too late to mount a meaningful comeback. Dejan Kulusevski, one of the few bright spots in an otherwise dismal display, pulled one back with a delightful curling shot in the 75th minute. Richarlison added another in stoppage time against his former club, but the damage had already been done. Everton’s resolute defense ensured their three points were never truly in doubt.

Implications for both teams

For Everton, the victory is a lifeline. The Toffees now sit four points clear of the relegation zone, giving Moyes a solid platform to build on as he aims to steer the club to safety. The win also marked a moment of unity for the fans, who had endured a difficult campaign but finally had something to celebrate. For Tottenham, the defeat underscores the severity of their current crisis. Sitting in 15th place after this weekend, Ange Postecoglou’s side faces mounting pressure to turn things around quickly. With a defense that looks increasingly fragile and an attack struggling to convert chances, Spurs’ hopes of salvaging their season are fading fast. As Everton looks to use this momentum to climb further up the table, Tottenham must regroup and find answers before their freefall becomes irreparable.