Last season’s power package Tottenham Hotspur got off to a shaky start against Everton, but managed to fight back as the match progressed. A second half header from Erik Lamela cancelled out an early goal from Ross Barkley.
Everton got off to a decent start in the new era under former Southampton manager Ronald Koeman, who came up against his predecessor at his previous job, Mauricio Pochettino. The game ended 1-1, a result and a performance with which the Everton fans were largely satisfied with.
I’ll take a draw against a title contender from last year. First few games of the year aren’t very predictive historically. #EVETOT
— Brown U Evertonians (@efc_brown) August 13, 2016
Take a point all day there. No right back, no striker, an 18 year old at centre back against a full strength spurs team. Good start ?
— Tom McIntosh (@tommc04) August 13, 2016
@bbcmerseyside big psychological boost to hold onto draw after late 20 min pressure. Good first half, point fair #COYB #EFCvsTOTT
— Charlie Edwards (@chedwards8) August 13, 2016
Still work to be done but I think we’ll look back on today as a good point. They are a very good side #COYB
— Chris (@CtrdlmEFC) August 13, 2016
Pleased with the match overall, first half a taste of what we can expect under Koeman. 100% fitness and 3+ signings the priority! #EFC #COYB
— Nick Broadhurst (@Toffe3m4n) August 13, 2016
Tottenham fans, on the other hand, had mixed feelings about the result, and many of them were pining for their Belgian midfield mainstay Mousa Dembele. The 29-year-old is still serving a suspension for poking Diego Costa in the eye last season, and the fans think he could have made a world of difference on the pitch for Spurs.
Not a disastrous result but Spurs need to get going quicker. Completely dead in the first half. #EVETOT #COYS
— Henry Reynolds (@hwj_reynolds) August 13, 2016
I’ll take that given that 1st half performance, we could’ve won it but what’s done is done, Onto Palace #ComeOnYouSpurs #EVETOT
— KevinNash23 (@KevinSpurs23) August 13, 2016
Kane doesn’t get going until at least November anyway. Good second half from Spurs. Onto the next game! #COYS
— Michael (@Drops_Mike) August 13, 2016
Decent to come back and grab a point. Still not winning without Dembele, which is a concern. #EVETOT #COYS
— Phillip Marquart (@pdmarquart) August 13, 2016
Remember when people said Wanyama could do Dembele’s job?
That was funny
— Bateseyboy (@Bateseyboy) August 13, 2016
Spurs fans to Dembele pic.twitter.com/WFnjLEs47b
— Pritch. (@pritch_16) August 13, 2016
@StevenBelsham @TEAM_BAHAB We missed Dembele. Simples.
— Castle Rock Brit (@CastleRockBrit) August 13, 2016
Blaming Wanyama that we didn’t win. #EVETOT Should have won. Swear we never needed Wanyama…He won’t play if Dembele is fit will he?
— Tom (@KanelsAbel) August 13, 2016
So that’s now 5 more games without Dembele ?
— Jaime (@Jaimejork) August 13, 2016
How long till Spurs get dembele back as today proofs we need him to make are team stronger and complete
— On Purpose–Tyrone J (@GibsonGaming97) August 13, 2016
I miss Dembele more than the last girl I loved
— RoPo (@AlexRoPo) August 13, 2016