Jose Mourinho did not hold back when he called Tottenham “lazy” after a 1-0 loss to Everton.
The Toffees signaled their intent for Carlo Ancelotti’s first full season when Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s header scored his first win against Tottenham since 2012 in Sunday’s 1-0 win.
In particular, it was the playgroup’s lack of intent and willpower after Calvert-Lewin’s crucial goal that frustrated Mourinho.
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Toffees too good for Spurs
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“I didn’t like my team,” said the Spurs manager.
“In the second half after their goal we were poor and in my opinion we were not physically strong, no intensity. At this moment, the team lacks the physical condition of many players.
“The fight started the way we pushed – or I would say the way we didn’t push because our pressure up front was very, very light.
“I would say it was lazy pressure and if you have lazy pressure, you don’t press and you let opponents build up from behind.
“Lazy pressure up front creates an unbalanced situation for the rest of the team. It disappoints me and I have to work there now. “
Ancelotti was greatly helped by the signings of James Rodriguez, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Allan, and the Toffees looked a much improved side on the side that finished 12th last season as they deserve the winners at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium had.
Spurs are also hoping for a rebound in Mourinho’s first full season as boss but the hosts had little ideas when they suffered a damaging home defeat to get back to the top four this season.
Everton were quicker to move on to the new midfield trio that helped control possession, but on the counterattack they wasted by far the best chance in the game. Richarlison intercepted Ben Davies’ unpredictable pass and accelerated past Toby Alderweireld and Hugo Lloris before shooting high and far with an open target asking Calvert-Lewin for a cut.
Son Heung-min was by far Spurs’ most dangerous assault exit in a performance that otherwise lacked inspiration.
The South Korean’s teasing cross just escaped Harry Kane and the far post before taking Dele Alli in and his shot forced a big save against England international Jordan Pickford.
James rolled his first sight of the goal in an Everton shirt just past the goal while Pickford got up well on the other end to deny Matt Doherty after Tottenham’s best move of the half hit the Irish through Kane’s sunk pass.
Foxes pound the baggies
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Tottenham received a few warnings before the game’s only goal came when James dragged a shot wide from the box before Richarlison misaligned his header after a centimeter cross from James at the back post.
The opener came 10 minutes after the break, when Calvert-Lewin climbed the highest to drive Lucas Digne’s free kick into the top corner.
Mourinho said Friday he was hoping to add another striker before the end of the transfer window to add a little more support to Kane, but any new signing needs better service as the English captain has not had a chance to reinstate his side. Terms.
Tottenham’s $ 350,000-a-week star striker has been kept quiet but needs strong service to start shooting.
Everton and Richarlison continued to enjoy chances as the Brazilian cut inward twice on his favored right foot, curling the effort just past Lloris’ far post.
However, one goal was enough for a win for the visitors and the worst start for Tottenham ahead of a busy schedule as they play up to eight Europa League, League Cup and Premier League games over the next three weeks.
VARDY READY TO FIRE LEICESTER VICTORY AFTER DOUBLE PERFORMANCE
Brendan Rodgers believes Jamie Vardy will be one of the Premier League’s most prolific strikers again this season after scoring twice from penalty spots in Leicester’s 3-0 win at West Brom on Sunday.
The Foxes bounced back from a disappointing end last season to kick off their new Premier League campaign when Timothy Castagne made a dream debut with the opening goal before Vardy secured the points.
Leicester won just two of their last 10 games to miss a spot in the Champions League on the last day of last season, but Vardy still picked up the golden boot for the league’s top scorer.
The former England international will turn 34 in January, but Rodgers believes his conditioning will ensure he has another big season.
PL: Winning big names
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“There are a lot of top strikers at this level, but every team wants someone like him,” said Rodgers.
“He’s super cool, clinical and still has speed and ability to run. In this situation he showed great composure to position the two of us. It’s a great start for him to score two goals and very good for the team.
“With high profile players, it doesn’t matter what they did, no matter how much they make, they want to be the best they can. He trains and works hard and is a natural goalscorer – he’s still fast, I suspect he will have another great season. “Rodgers had expressed frustration with the lack of funds to improve his team’s chances of success in four competitions this season when they returned to European football in the Europa League from October.
But the only signing they added made a big impression when Castagne’s header from Dennis Praet’s cross opened the floodgates 11 minutes into the second half.
“He was brilliant. He only trained with us for a few days and you saw that he has a lot of qualities with his performance and that he has to come to the rear, ”said Vardy.
“It’s huge for us, especially how we ended last season. We didn’t have to come back long this season. To start with three points, we are very happy. “The goal rocked Albion as Slaven Bilic’s men got a taste of the test they will face on their return to the Premier League this season.
“I am very disappointed with the result, but the biggest disappointment was our reaction after the goal,” said Bilic. “Our mentality wasn’t the same.” Vardy ended the game as a competition with his first penalty after being pulled into the box by Kyle Bartley.
And 10 minutes later, he was fatal again when Dara O’Shea felled James Justin.
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