Dispatches on an Eventful Day at Goodison

The Many Talents of Bamidele Alli

In what could become a regular feature, it’s time to ask What Good Things Have We Discovered About Dele Alli This Week? In this edition, we found out that he appears to have more control and dexterity in his chest than the majority of mortals have in their trusted foot. It’s as if he’s wearing a Velcro tank top.

It wasn’t just in effect for the equaliser at Goodison Park on Sunday, where he pulled a trademark Alderweireld raker out of the air like a seasoned NFL wide receiver; but also in the build-up to a golden Harry Kane chance after the break.

With Spurs hunting doggedly for the second goal that would have inched them ahead, Alli flawlessly cushioned a through-ball into the path of Kane, with just a casual roll of the chest. It was only a dastardly fine John Stones interception away from being the assist of the weekend.

No, wait. Of the year.

It might have only been a single touch, a millisecond of action, but it encapsulated his talents rather neatly. Quick-thinking, inventive and a candyfloss lightness of touch.

Football is all about moments; and at that moment, Alli showed why he’s one of the form midfielders in the league. At nineteen.

Because He’s Worth It

In other notable snippets from the afternoon, Hugo Lloris once again demonstrated his importance to Spurs. The headline Lloris Makes a Great Save won’t have anyone choking on their morning croissant in surprise, but it’s the context in which he sprung to Bešić’s dipping volley that made it all the more impressive.

It could well have been the Frenchman’s only whiff of action at that juncture— certainly his first save proper— but he managed to wheel out the Big Money when called upon and keep Everton from taking the lead.

It was reported in the news this week that Lloris was considering hotfooting out of Spurs at the end of Tim Sherwood’s reign of confusion. It was only after talking with Mauricio Pochettino, when the Argentine was able to reveal his blueprint for sculpting a more competitive Spurs, that Lloris resolved in sticking around. I was actually asking myself questions, he said, until Pochettino arrived.

You imagine Hugo is a bit of a groovy existentialist at heart and asks himself plenty of questions, about the essence of being and what not. Still, it’s nice to know he has faith in our coach and his methods.

Out With The Old

The performance was at odds with the result at Goodison, that’s for certain. The first-half was as comprehensive a display as you’re likely to see and it was only a double engagement with Everton’s woodwork that stopped us from zipping ahead.

Pochettino would’ve been distraught to be on equal terms at half-time, let alone trailing, as it looked to be heading before Alli’s crafty leveler.

It was, however, nice to see Lennon not indulge in any anti-celebration-against-his-former-club jazz, after putting Everton ahead on the twenty-ish-minute mark. In a pulsating, high-quality match, you did a good thing, so, you know, enjoy it. Both parties have moved on now, why not tuck into a celebration. No hard feelings, eh?