Conte's Reguilon stance
Antonio Conte made one change to his Tottenham team for Monday's game against Everton despite their FA Cup exit at the hands of Middlesbrough last time out.
Rodrigo Bentancur was the man to come in and it subsequently saw Harry Winks drop out of the Tottenham XI.
Lucas Moura was another to return to the Tottenham squad after his recent injury but there was to be no place in the team for the Brazilian.
Joining Lucas on the bench was Emerson Royal and Sergio Reguilon, who did appear to be Conte's first-choice wing-backs not that long ago.
His decision to start both Matt Doherty and Ryan Sessegnon once again does seem to suggest that the duo have the wing-back positions wrapped up and they are theirs to lose.
A regular ever since his move from Real Madrid in the summer of 2020, Reguilon, who recently returned from Covid, did come on at the break in place of the injured Sessegnon and made an immediate impact with a goal seconds after his introduction.
It will really please Conte at present that both his left wing-backs are making a case for a starting spot.
What Lloris and Tottenham fans did for Dele
The visit of Everton saw Dele Alli make his first trip back to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium since his exit on transfer deadline day.
In and out of the Spurs team over the past couple of seasons, the attacking midfielder made the move to try and get his career back on track.
Having to settle for a place on the bench at Goodison Park so far since his transfer, the 25-year-old again had to initially watch on from the sidelines against his old club.
There was to be no cheer for the player beforehand as the Everton team wasn't read out by the stadium announcer but he did receive a standing ovation when he warmed up in front of the north stand just before half-time.
Alli was finally introduced with just over 20 minutes remaining and fans inside the stadium not only gave him a standing ovation but sung his Tottenham chant at full voice.
The player wasn't to be on the winning side on his return to the capital but his reception would have touched him, with Son Heung-min and Harry Kane sharing a long embrace with him after the final whistle.
Spurs captain Hugo Lloris even made a beeline for the player and led him over to the south stand where he was applauded by the home faithful and had the chance to say goodbye.
Conte advises Sessegnon
There was one moment midway through the first half when fourth official Martin Atkinson had to have a word with Conte after he stepped out of his technical area.
Now the Italian wasn't just a couple of yards outside his box, he was literally 10-15 yards down the touchline when he was instructing his team.
Playing the ball out across the back, Conte could be seen trying to tell Sessegnon what to do as Spurs tried to work the ball towards him.
As he later walked back to his area, Atkinson walked towards him and basically made it clear that he cannot go that far down the line.
Even before half-time the official was watching the Spurs boss like a hawk on the corner of his area and tried to make sure he stayed there and didn't stray away.
It was just another example of how animated Conte gets during a game.
Flying wing-backs
The recent win over Leeds United highlighted just how much joy Spurs can get from the wing-back areas with Doherty and Sessegnon really catching the eye.
Despite their struggles at Middlesbrough last time out, the pair again showed what they are all about as they helped dismantle Everton.
Putting in a very good ball for Doherty to convert at Leeds, Sessegnon did likewise against Everton and it resulted in Michael Keane emphatically volleying into his own net.
Doherty was then to have a big say on the game as he teed Son up for a brilliant chance before playing in Kane to make it three.
Looking to be getting back to the form he showed at Wolves after his Spurs struggles, the Republic of Ireland international assisted Kane once again with a sublime lofted pass that the striker volleyed home.
If it wasn't good enough that Doherty and Sessegnon were having a big impact on proceedings, Reguilon then got in on the act as he converted with his first touch of the ball seconds after replacing the injured left wing-back at half-time.
Seeing his wing-backs thriving at present, it only bodes well for Spurs over the remainder of the season if they can keep up this form.
Kulusevski, the creator
As well as Doherty and Sessegnon getting in on the act in terms of assists, Kulusevski also got a couple to his name against Everton.
Linking up well with Kane and Son to create Spurs' second of the evening as the South Korean fired under Jordan Pickford, Kulusevski's pass across the box was then fired home by Reguilon to make it four.
Amid some possible doubts from fans over the signing of the Swede, the youngster has made quite the impact in his short time at Spurs and Fabio Paratici appears to have made a very shrewd acquisition.
Having issues in recent seasons in terms of creativity, Tottenham may have finally found their man to help them in the final third going on his form so far.
The good thing about Kulusevski is that he is only going to get even better once he fully adapts to life in the Premier League.
He really is that good.
