Notebook – Spurs vs Everton

We return to Premier League action this evening as we entertain Everton at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (kick-off 5.30pm).

Here in the Notebook, take a look at all of the game’s key points of note…

1 - Our best-ever start?

We could make history this evening if we take all three points against Everton. Having taken 20 points from our opening nine games, if we are victorious against the Toffees, we will have enjoyed our best-ever start to a Premier League campaign after 10 games. Our best-ever start to date came in 2011/12, when we took 22 points from our opening 10 games before ultimately finishing 4^th. A victory tonight would make it 23 points from our first 10 outings.

2 – Strong against the Toffees

In recent years, we have enjoyed quite the record against Everton. In our last 19 Premier League meetings, we have lost just once, winning nine and drawing nine of them. At home, we have won eight of the last 13, drawing four and losing just once – a 1-0 defeat in September, 2020. We also came out on top in our last home meeting - a 5-0 win back in March.

Highlights - Spurs 5-0 Everton | March, 2022

3 – Home comforts

That strong run at home doesn’t just concern games against Everton either as we are currently flying at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Of our last nine games at home in all competitions, we have won all of them, including each of our last seven in the Premier League. We last failed to win a game in N17 back in April, as we fell 1-0 to Brighton.

4 – Blue days in London

Everton have also struggled when visiting the capital in the Premier League. Of all sides to have competed in the league since its formation in 1992, no side lost more games in London than Everton (84). Of their last seven trips, they have lost five and drawn two with their last win coming in May, 2021 at West Ham.

5 – A bright start

Despite their record against us and in London, the Toffees have enjoyed a solid start to the season. They might have lost each of their first two league fixtures but they then went on a six-game unbeaten run before falling 2-1 to Manchester United last time out.

6 – Defensive strengths

Like our last league opponents Brighton, Everton have been strong at the back this season. So far this season, they have conceded just nine goals – no side has conceded less in the competition (Newcastle and Manchester City have also conceded nine goals).

7 – Conte’s clean sheets vs Everton

When talking about defensive records though, Antonio Conte’s impeccable record against Everton cannot be ignored. In six Premier League encounters with the Blues, sides managed by Antonio have not conceded a single goal with them keeping six clean sheets in as many attempts. Only fellow Italian Roberto Mancini has a better record in the Premier League against a single side (seven vs Wigan Athletic).

8 – Set-play battle

This match might well be decided on set-pieces. So far this campaign, we have scored a league-high seven goals from dead ball situations (six from corners and one penalty). However, at the other end of the scale, Everton have conceded the joint-lowest number of goals from set-plays (2). That is in stark contrast to last season in which they conceded the joint-second highest number of goals (24) from set-pieces.

9 – Kane vs the Toffees

Everton are a side that Harry Kane loves to face. In 14 Premier League appearances against the Toffees, he has 13 goals to his name. That tally includes six braces. Only Alan Shearer has scored multiple goals in a single game more times against a single opponent (seven vs Leeds – six braces, one hat-trick) than Harry in the Premier League.