The defiance came far too late. Whether it was the two goals that gave a glimmer of respectability to Tottenham’s latest defeat or Ange Postecoglou’s belief in his ability to arrest a decline, the sight and sound of their fightback was futile. Spurs were the gift that Everton and David Moyes needed.
The final scoreline flattered the losing side. Everton – a team that had scored 15 league goals all season before Spurs arrived – were three up at half-time and lamenting the fact it wasn’t six. Spurs were abject in every regard. They improved after the break, though only after Dominic Calvert-Lewin could have made it four and not enough to prey on Everton’s fragile confidence until Richarlison poked home in the 92nd minute. This was no spirited recovery from a team without a win in six Premier League games. This was unacceptable, even accounting for the lengthy injury list that Postecoglou highlighted afterwards.
