Three was a crowd as far as Tottenham were concerned. They were unconvincing with the attacking trident of Harry Kane, Son Heung-min and Richarlison leading an inconsistent attack against Everton in the first half. Spurs were outnumbered in midfield and Everton, a much stronger proposition under Frank Lampard this season, would have led 2-0 at half-time had Amadou Onana and Demarai Gray shown more composure in front the door.
Yet the mood changed when Richarlison limped off in the 52nd minute. It was the moment Antonio Conte bent the competition to his tactical will and reminded critics of his counter-attacking approach that he knows more than a thing or two about football.
After all, it would have been easy for Conte to trust Plan A following Richarlison’s departure. The obvious move? Stay with three up front and bring on Lucas Moura or Brian Gill. Conte’s move? Strengthen your midfield with the introduction of Yves Bissouma, change his formation from 3-4-3 to 3-5-2 and watch as Spurs beat Everton, who had no way back after Harry Kane punished Jordan Pickford’s mistake to open the scoring from place.
It was a controlled second half from Tottenham, who made their best start to a Premier League campaign since the 1963-64 season. To drive home the point, there were seven minutes between Bissuma’s entry and Kane, who scored his 400th game for Spurs, moving within eight goals of Jimmy Greaves’ club record of 266 goals.
There was much more solidity from Conte’s side, who are missing Dejan Kuluszewski in attack and Bissuma is on the pitch. The former Brighton midfielder’s arrival was key to Rodrigo Bentancourt’s release, negating the influence of Onana, Idrissa Gueye and Alex Iwobi, and there was never any prospect of an equalizer for Everton after they fell behind. Spurs were too solid at the back. They gave nothing away and, to underline how much depended on Conte’s change, the points were secured when Bentancourt’s pass set up fellow midfielder Pierre-Emile Høiberg to make it 2-0 in the 86th minute.
“The intensity with which we played was really positive,” Conte said. “We can play with 3-4-3. Sometimes we can play with 3-5-2. At this point I preferred Bissouma. Everton are a really strong physical team. After the win, I think my decision was good.”
Conte was in good spirits. He singled out Matt Doherty for praise, saying the right-back is close to returning to the high standards he set last season and was delighted to see Spurs take 23 points from their opening 10 games. “This good start is positive,” Conte said. “It means we do everything with common sense.”
Harry Kane is brought down by his England team-mate Jordan Pickford, resulting in a penalty for Spurs. Photo: Tottenham Hotspur FC/Getty Images
It was an endurance test for Spurs. The first period was difficult, even if Kane stretched Pickford, and Richarlison came close to breaking through for his old side when he nodded wide after Ivan Perisic crossed from the left. Everton should have led at half-time though.
The visitors were steady after moving into the back five and their graft was accompanied by the odd flash of a cut. “If we had finished our chances it would have been a different feeling,” said Lampard, who lamented that Onana and Gray were on fire when they went on goal.
Lampard pointed out that Everton, who moved away from relegation worries last year, could not match Spurs’ class. The hosts were more energetic after the arrival of Bissuma, Kane tested Pickford with a stunning volley and it wasn’t long before Everton broke.
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“The first goal is what it is,” Lampard said. That came when Pickford spilled a drive from Doherty and brought down Kane.
“Jordan dived in and got me out,” the England captain said. “He was a little lucky, but I’ll take it.”
Kane showed no mercy to his international counterpart. He curled his penalty past Pickford and Spurs didn’t look back, pulling away as Kane and Bentancourt set up Høiberg for a shot that deflected off Iwobi before soaring into the net.
“I’m really pleased,” said Conte, who can continue to ignore naysayers. He might not win many style awards, but who cares when Spurs are a point below first-place Arsenal? Conte is right to point out that the table never lies.
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