Post 2PL Match Week 1
The Match: Tottenham Hotspur vs Everton FC Stadium: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium Referee: Martin Atkinson History: 68W-56D-55L in favor of Tottenham
The Guests: Oh Everton. What can I say? A club just a stone’s throw away and just on the other side of town from the current PL champions and perennial powerhouse LFC. Generally hovering right around 7th place in the table when all is set and done and the oft winners of the annual “Everton Cup”. Much traveled manager Carlo Ancellotti is currently at the helm for his first full season as The Toffees aim for their first TOP5 finish and possible European soccer for the first time since 2009. I am a big fan of the James Rodriguez signing, especially on a free. His eventual landing in the PL was never in doubt and he has finally made it. A top shelf offensive playmaker behind Richarlison is exactly what this team needed. With the youth of Moise Kean, Dominic Calvert-Lewin who came on strong during the 2019-2020 campaign, Alex Iwobi and Mason Holgate in addition to the class of Gylfi Sigurdson, Andre Gomes, Fabian Delph and Theo Walcott chef Ancellotti has some nice ingredients to cook with. I can easily see them once again in contention for the “Everton Cup”, which would be a nice improvement from last year’s campaign when The Toffees finished 12th. The race for the TOP5 in the PL this upcoming season could be one for the ages, so I say no shame in finishing 7th.
The Hosts: Jose Mourinho. I love the guy, his pressers are gold and I find him to be hilarious. Mourinho is a proven winner and he is not shy about letting people know that from time to time. Long gone are the days of Mauricio’s Spurs though and the fast paced, high octane soccer. You never quite know what you are going to get with Jose, but then again, we do. This squad is way too talented and offensively stacked for his oft criticized “parking the bus” style and I agree with the criticism. The excellent signings of Lo Celso and Hojbjerg who should both make an impact to an already very good midfield if used properly and are allowed to be creative. Up top there is still Harry Kane. Dele Ali could use a revitalization of sorts, but he is young and will rebound. One of may favorite players is the always hard working and pacey Son Heung-Min. Mourinho inherited a very strong squad that should be fighting for a TOP5 position until the very last match day of the 20/21 campaign and might even be back in the conversation for the TOP3 after a 2-year hiatus.
Positional Matchups: I am very intrigued by both midfields. Spurs do have the obvious advantage as they have the continuity and familiarity. Lo Celso is a new signing per se, but was with them on loan last season. Both James and Allan are new signings for Everton and probably will not have much, if any of a role in this match. If they do make an appearance though, it should be fun to watch and I am sure the likes of Richarlison, Walcott and Calvert-Lewin would like to receive their services. Everton do have a few injury concerns with Andre Gomes and Fabian Delph. Jordan Pickford will need to be mistake free. Both defenses are fairly similar with a slight edge to the Spurs.
Prediction: I chose this match as my second match of the week purely due to all the talent that will be on display at Tottenham Stadium, but I also have my reservations. I could easily see this becoming a sort of defensive slug fest in the first half, like 2 boxers trying to figure each other out in the first 3 rounds or so. In the second half I could see Spurs quality and depth in the middle of the park finally take center stage and break the tie. Harry Kane may notch a penalty or 2. 3:1 Spurs Final.
MOTM: Just like in post 1PL LFC vs LUFC, it is all about work rate, work rate, work rate. I think Son will have enough impact on the game to notch MOTM honors, even if Kane nets more. 1 Goal, 1 assist/penalty called for. Son Heung-Min MOTM.