There was satisfaction, too, for Everton manager Ronald Koeman, whose pre-match prediction that his team would run out of steam because they are only 70pc fit was realised.
Advertisement
“This is the first game and I am happy overall”.
England midfielder Barkley provided Koeman with a flawless start to the season after floating in a fifth-minute free kick which evaded everyone in the penalty area and beat Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris at the far post.
Tottenham will be satisfied with the result but acutely aware they could have done better.
The arrival of Wanyama-for an nearly bargain £11 million in this hyperinflated market-will lend the Tottenham midfield even greater presence, and his battle with Dier and the suspended Mousa Dembele for the two starting holding midfield roles should bring out the best in all three of them.
Everton’s English midfielder Ross Barkley (R) celebrates.
This is just the start.. The draw against Tottenham may have been a positive start, but everyone associated with the club will be keen for the team to build on Saturday’s game as new players arrive, injured players return and player’s fitness levels improve. “That was not an issue today, he was not fit enough”, Koeman explained.
For much of last season, it appeared Tottenham Hotspur were on the brink of a historic season and their first league title in over half a century, but they would of course spectacularly implode and finish a sizeable 11 points behind Leicester City. “It will be a very interesting Premier League this year”. You suspect that if Koeman had another two – and a couple of more signings – behind him, Everton might have won this game; as it was, despite missing key players, they preserved a valuable point against a team that finished third last season and was at full strength.
But the change his side found most hard to get used to was the absence of Romelu Lukaku.
The manager was less pleased with the stamina of numerous players he inherited, who last week he warned had only about 70% of the fitness level he is seeking for the season ahead.
Everton are still looking to recruit another goalkeeper before the end of the window but Stekelenburg has no plans to step aside. If he didn’t stop Janssen’s shot, Everton would have lost the match. Stekelenburg was not the only debutant to impress as Idrissa Gueye proved a ideal fit for an Everton side under Ronald Koeman.
The Merseyside outfit impressed with a lively, organised display in a first half that saw Ross Barkley’s fifth-minute free-kick give them the lead and Gerard Deulofeu’s attempt to add a second in the closing stages thwarted by Michel Vorm. “And then yeah, in the end we needed some luck”.
Advertisement
“Harry needs to be ready for every game and it is my decision whether he plays or not”, Pochettino told The Times.
