Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Everton: Richarlison scores again as Spurs go fourth in Premier League

Tottenham Hotspur moved into the Premier League top four after beating Everton in a thrilling encounter.

Everton deservedly pulled a goal back through Andre Gomes, in his first Premier League game since May 2022.

But Spurs move above Manchester City – absent from league action due to the Club World Cup – into fourth.

Defeat for Everton ended a four-match winning run and leaves them just four points above the relegation zone.

Brazilian Richarlison put the hosts ahead after just nine minutes, slotting in Brennan Johnson’s low cross at the near post.

Son doubled Spurs’ advantage soon after, with Johnson again providing a key supporting role. The Wales international picked the ball up from a short corner and fired in a powerful drive which Everton keeper Jordan Pickford palmed away.

It fell to Son, who slid the ball home with Pickford caught in a crowd of players and unable to intervene.

Everton showed plenty of attacking intent in an entertaining match and Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored five minutes after half-time – only for the video assistant referee to disallow the goal following a foul by Gomes on Emerson Royal in the build-up.

Gomes, who spent last season on loan at Lille before suffering a calf injury, made some amends with a fine volleyed strike on 82 minutes to set up a grandstand finish, but Spurs held on.

30 not out for free-scoring Spurs

Tottenham had the chance to give their fans an early Christmas present by moving into the top four, and they delivered in typical Ange Postecoglou attacking style.

Spurs have now scored in 30 consecutive Premier League games and are the only team in the division to register a goal in every league match this season.

The impact of Postecoglou’s gung-ho tactics were visible in Spurs’ lightning start and in Everton having plenty of chances themselves.

It is also evidenced in the scoring stats of Richarlison. He managed just two goals in his first 39 league games for Spurs, but now has six goals already this season.

The 26-year-old’s form has been a welcome boost for Postecoglou in restoring Spurs’ top four challenge after it was shaken by poor results in November and early December – although there was worry for the manager as the striker had to be taken off in the second half with an apparent back injury.

Meanwhile, Son’s goal was his 11th league goal in 2023-24, more than his tally from last season.

While Everton came away with no points, they contributed plenty with the hosts frequently grateful to goalkeeper Gigi Vicario’s saves.

Vicario could do little to stop Calvert-Lewin’s strike sweeping past him on 50 minutes – but was saved by VAR – nor James Garner’s strike shortly after which hit the outside of the far post.

But after being beaten by Gomes’ strike, Vicario proved the saviour once more with a two late stops from Arnaut Danjuma, including keeping a 97th-minute volley out with his thigh after the former Spurs winger struck the bar.