Everton’s James McCathy, left, and Tottenham Hotspur’s Christian Eriksen, right, in action during their English Premier League soccer match at Goodison Park, Liverpool, England, Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016.
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Had Everton’s players been at 100% rather than “70% physically”, as new manager Koeman suggested pre-match, then perhaps the outcome at Goodison Park would have been different.
A new era for Everton began with a creditable 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur though Ronald Koeman’s team had to dig deep for it in the face of a strong second-half fightback by the visitors.
Barkley delivered a free-kick that eluded everyone, including Spurs keeper Hugo Lloris, who delayed his dive anticipating a touch from an Everton head and watched the ball nestle inside his left-hand post.
Everton had the better of the first half but Mauricio Pochettino’s side came back well after the interval and Argentine midfielder Lamela ensured their pressure paid off.
Stekelenburg kept Ronald Koeman’s men in the game with spectacular saves to deny Lamela and Vincent Janssen.
Stekelenburg played under Koeman at Ajax and Southampton and insists the boss will be “straight and fair” with Everton’s players this season.
“Obviously, we did not start very well, going behind early like that, and we were not at our normal tempo”, Kane said.
“I am very happy with my squad and the players we have added – Victor Wanyama and Vincent Janssen – and with the young players who have showed a lot of quality in the one or two months they have been involved with the first team”. Barkley was one of only two outfield players not used in England’s sorry Euro 2016 campaign yet he had a spring in his step here and his next delivery did meet Jagielka’s head, drawing a flying save from Lloris.
“I think the team was ready, and we showed a lack of energy”.
Seamus Coleman and Romelu Lukaku are doubts with respective ankle and heel injuries, but Phil Jagielka is fit after overcoming a hamstring problem. But I think overall we worked very hard. Youngsters Ross Barkley and John Stones fell away during the end of last season and Koeman is sure to push them on this year to realise their full potential.
“Because you never know – certain managers play poker”.
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In the end they were glad to draw 1-1 and get a point, so small was their share of the game and so limited were their attacking efforts. The pair combined to fashion a chance for the Belgian on the 20th minute but the angle was too tight and Mirallas’s shot was turned behind by the goalkeeper.
