Harry Kane marked his 400thTottenham appearance with a penalty against Everton.
For an hour, Spurs largely looked comfortable without causing Frank Lampard’s side too many problems, albeit did concede two good chances to Demarai Gray and Amadou Onana, both of whom should have scored on the break.
Still, and while losing Richarlison to injury was disappointing, Antonio Conte’s enforced tactical tweak to bring Yves Bissouma on and revert to the 3-5-2 system used at Brighton last week gave his side much more of a base from which to build attacks.
Spurs had only one shot on target during the first-half as Kane’s quick feet teed up a shot from a tight angle, with Everton heading into the break the more happier despite the home side’s strong start.
The break, however, and the introduction of Bissouma changed the game. Rodrigo Benantcur and Pierre-Emile Hojbjeg were granted more freedom to cover the flying wing-backs, one of whom helped tee up the goal.
Matt Doherty, a player derided by even Conte at times, saw his shot saved by a rusty-looking Jordan Pickford, though the England ‘keeper fumbled into the path of Kane.
Spurs’ landmark man got there first and tumbled over Pickford’s grasp, winning the decisive spot-kick. Banishing the memory of his miss against Eintracht Frankfurt, the England captain finished from 12 yards.
The liberated Bentancur and Hojbjerg then combined after the former’s cross was slotted home in calm fashion by the Dane to wrap up the points.
For all the talk of Tottenham underwhelming this season, they sit level on points with Manchester City. Functional rather than fantastic but Spurs are a threat.
