Erik Lamela scored a second half equaliser as Tottenham Hotspur came from behind to earn a point at Everton on the opening day of the new English Premier League season.
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Koeman took charge of his first game on Saturday as Everton claimed a positive point from a 1-1 draw with Tottenham at Goodison Park.
Despite an in-different pre-season that culminated in the sale of John Stones to Manchester City, Everton got the Koeman era off to the flawless start as Barkley’s free-kick beat Hugo Lloris – the third consecutive time that the England midfielder has netted in the first game.
Everton took the lead inside five minutes but it was significant the goal came from a dead-ball situation – Ross Barkley’s free kick finding its way past Hugo Lloris without Phil Jagielka or Ramiro Funes Mori managing to get a touch.
Manager Mauricio Pochettino finally chose to twist 11 minutes into the second half when he brought on new forward signing Vincent Janssen to support Kane.
And they nearly fashioned a victor late on, with Stekelenburg producing two exceptional saves in the final ten minutes, the first from substitute Vincent Janssen and the second from a Lamela strike that took a deflection on it’s way towards the goal. The fans like the energy and it starts with this, not by playing football.
“It’s Ross’s first goal and this is one of his qualities but what I like from my midfielders and strikers is that they work hard”, Koeman told Sky Sports.
And as if that wasn’t exciting enough, we’ve teamed up with 7 Of The Best to bring you a footballing treat for the coming campaign.
“We’re not at the level we need to be in terms of the players’ physical state”, said Koeman.
“At the moment I’m the No.1 and I plan to finish the season as No.1”, he said.
“I was tough with them but all the managers do that when you are not happy”. He started late because of the Euros and, of course, last week all the business between Swansea and Everton, he did not really do training sessions with the team.
It was only when Pochettino abandoned the idea of two holding midfielders they played like the side that pushed Leicester so close for much of last season.
Everton’s Maarten Stekelenburg impressed on Saturday afternoon. I think this was key in the last few games in last season.
“I think teams look at us in a different way now”.
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The goal brought the game to life and Everton might have doubled their lead when makeshift centre forward Gerard Deulofeu skipped past two challenges but saw his shot from the edge of the Spurs box held low down by Lloris.
