Prince Rupert's Tower
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Spurs tie latest test of Everton metal

By Matt Townsend

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 13: Seamus Coleman of Everton is challenged by Steven Bergwijn of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Everton at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 13, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 13: Seamus Coleman of Everton is challenged by Steven Bergwijn of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Everton at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 13, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images) /
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After claiming four points from two difficult away Premier League matches, Everton next take on Tottenham in the fifth round of the FA Cup as the relentless fixture pressure continues.

This game is another real examination of how far Everton have progressed under Carlo Ancelotti’s leadership. Can the Toffees beat a top six opponent in a big one-off cup match and give themselves a chance to win some silverware this season?

The Blues have already failed one such test when they meekly succombed to Manchester United in the Carabao Cup quarter-final.

I know it might sound like heresy but I’d almost prefer to win the FA Cup and finish fifth or sixth than crash out of another cup competiion tomorrow, even if the team get a top four place at the end of the campaign.

Yes playing in the Champions League is hugely important, especially financially, but it’s been so long since the Blues last got their hands on a trophy.

That was way back in 1995 and it was perhaps one of the most improbable FA Cup wins in recent decades along with Portsmouth’s triumph in 2008 and Wigan upsetting Manchester City in the 2013 final.

Everton had just avoided relegation on the last Saturday of the previous season famously beating Wimbledon 3-2 at Goodison Park to stay up by the skin of their teeth.

Then when the 1994-95 season began the Toffees were in horrendous form and bottom of the then Premiership when Joe Royle took over in November from the beleagured Mike Walker.

Royle won his first match in charge a 2-0 derby victory over Liverpool with Duncan Ferguson scoring his first goal as an Everton player.

After that, although the Blues league form was still very inconsistent they went on a great cup run and didn’t concede a goal until the semi-final when their opponents were.. Spurs.

Tottenham were huge favourites in the game and were expected to win comfortably and set up the media’s dream final against Manchester United.

The Blues though weren’t reading the script and produced a superb performance of energy and commitment. They were already deservedly beating Spurs 2-1 when in a notoriously comic moment striker Daniel Amokachi came on even though he was apparently not supposed to and promptly scored twice on the counter-attack to seal a thumping 4-1 win.

A great way to get to Wembley and to annoy the national media who have such a low regard for our football club!  Well that was then but it’s a long time ago now.

Returning to the present and Ancelotti has some more selection decisions to make for tomorrow’s match.  At the time of writing we haven’t heard from the Blues boss about any injury news. The big concern will be James Rodriguez who went off in the second half of the Manchester United game with what looked like a muscle problem.

Ancelotti has other decisions to make. In particular does he continue with Robin Olsen in goal or return to his usual first-choice Jordan Pickford, assuming he’s fit again.

Olsen’s performance at Old Trafford was erratic and raised a few new questions about whether he is a long-term solution to the seemingly endless issues Everton have in goal.

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Going back to Pickford isn’t a given obviously as he was responsible for the Leicester City equaliser in his most recent lapse and has made lots of errors over the past few seasons.

My own view would be to stick with Olsen for a few more matches. While he was perhaps to some extent at fault for two of United’s goals (although could he have stopped Bruno Fernandes’ effort?), he’s been rock solid generally and actually made a couple of good saves in that game.

Then there is the question of does he risk bringing Allan back in midfield, again assuming he has come through his return to training this week with no issues and is fit enough to play.

I’d say stay with the side that started against United if Rodriguez is available otherwise Alex Iwobi would seem the obvious player to come in for him. Tom Davies did enough to merit another start and that would give Allan more time to get ready for the Fulham match on Sunday.

Tomorrow’s opponents had a strong start to the season but then faltered and lost three consecutive games. They did return to winning ways against West Brom in their latest match and that coincided with Harry Kane being back in the team.

Kane is probably the most complete centre-forward in the Premier League. He’s superbly creative, scores with lethal effeciency and is a very clever and experienced footballer. The England international is an indispensible player to Spurs.

His partner up front Son Heung-Min has also been in great form this season. Evertonians will of course remember him for his horrendous tackle on Andre Gomes back in November 2019.

In fact Gomes is only just beginning to show the sort of form he managed when he first came to Goodison Park and which had been very much absent from his game especially after that injury.

Mourinho’s team are already in one final as they face Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final soon. They will be keen to make it Wembley twice and strangely Spurs have often reached and won FA Cup finals in year’s ending with one. They have done it in 1961, 1981 and 1991. Hopefully Everton can stop them doing so again this year.