Tottenham’s First Win of the Season: A Comprehensive Breakdown
FROM TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR STADIUM – When Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham are good, they are incredibly good.
On Saturday, Spurs secured their first victory of the 2024/25 Premier League season in emphatic fashion, thrashing Everton 4-0 at home. The match showcased Tottenham’s potential under Postecoglou, providing fans with a glimpse of what this season could hold after the frustration of Monday’s 1-1 draw against Leicester City.
Here’s a detailed look at what stood out from Tottenham’s dominant performance against Everton:
1. Yves Bissouma’s Redemption Arc Begins with a Bang
Yves Bissouma made headlines for all the wrong reasons before the season began, when news broke of his involvement in a nitrous oxide incident. The saga cast a shadow over the start of Spurs’ campaign, with many questioning whether the midfielder would face disciplinary action. Postecoglou took a firm stance, omitting Bissouma from the squad against Leicester as a form of reprimand.
There were doubts about whether Bissouma would even play against Everton, but Postecoglou opted to give him a chance to redeem himself. And redeem himself he did. Bissouma repaid his manager’s faith by scoring his first goal in a Tottenham shirt, a powerful strike that crashed in off the underside of the crossbar, setting the tone for the rest of the match.
Beyond the goal, Bissouma’s overall performance was solid. He controlled the midfield, breaking up Everton’s play and distributing the ball effectively. This performance was exactly what Tottenham needed from one of their senior players, especially after a turbulent few weeks. If Bissouma can continue in this vein, he could become a key figure in Postecoglou’s system moving forward.
2. Wilson Odobert Impresses on His Debut
Wilson Odobert’s debut for Tottenham was one of the most talked-about aspects of the match. The young French winger was a surprise signing from Burnley, and after missing the registration deadline for the Leicester game, he was thrown straight into the starting lineup against Everton.
Postecoglou has a reputation for giving young players opportunities, and Odobert’s debut was a testament to that philosophy. From the first whistle, the 18-year-old showed no fear, taking on Everton’s defenders with pace and skill. He was a constant threat down the left flank, linking up well with James Maddison and Destiny Udogie.
Odobert’s chemistry with his new teammates was impressive, especially considering he had only been at the club for just over a week. His willingness to take risks and his ability to beat his man were exactly what Tottenham had been missing in recent times. While it’s still early days, Odobert’s debut suggests he could have a bright future at Spurs.
3. Set-Piece Woes: The Elephant in the Room
While Tottenham’s performance was largely positive, there was one area of concern that cannot be overlooked: their vulnerability at set-pieces. Everton, despite being outplayed for much of the match, managed to put Spurs under pressure during a ten-minute spell before halftime, largely thanks to some poorly defended free-kicks and corners.
Tottenham’s defense struggled to deal with Everton’s aerial threat, and it was only thanks to some last-ditch defending that they managed to keep a clean sheet. The problem was not just in dealing with the set-pieces themselves, but also in the needless fouls that led to them. Spurs gave away too many free-kicks in dangerous areas, inviting pressure that could have been avoided.
While Tottenham escaped unscathed this time, their struggles at set-pieces are something that needs to be addressed. In tighter games, these lapses could prove costly. Postecoglou will no doubt be aware of this issue and will be looking to iron out these defensive frailties as the season progresses.
4. Son Heung-min Continues to Shine
Son Heung-min’s contribution to Tottenham over the years has been nothing short of extraordinary, and his performance against Everton was another reminder of his importance to the team. The South Korean superstar scored twice, bringing his tally of direct goal involvements to over 100 in the Premier League since the 2020/21 season—a statistic that only Mohamed Salah can match.
After a subdued display against Leicester, some critics began to question whether Son, now 32, was starting to decline. But Son responded in the best possible way, with a performance full of energy, intelligence, and clinical finishing. His first goal was a typical poacher’s effort, reacting quickly to a loose ball in the box, while his second was a composed finish after being set up by Micky van de Ven.
Son’s influence on the pitch goes beyond his goalscoring. He is a leader in the squad, and his work rate and selflessness are qualities that Postecoglou will be relying on throughout the season. If Tottenham are to achieve their ambitions this year, Son will undoubtedly be at the heart of their success.
Final Takes
Tottenham’s 4-0 victory over Everton was a statement win, showcasing the potential of Ange Postecoglou’s side. There were plenty of positives to take from the performance, from Bissouma’s redemption to Odobert’s exciting debut. However, the team’s vulnerability at set-pieces remains a concern that will need to be addressed if they are to challenge at the top of the table.
Overall, this win should give Tottenham fans plenty of optimism for the season ahead. If Postecoglou can build on this performance and iron out the remaining issues, Spurs could be in for an exciting campaign.
