Everton missed two great chances in the first half on Saturday, and their profligacy was punished by Harry Kane and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
Tottenham moved to within one point of Premier League leaders Arsenal as Harry Kane and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg secured a 2-0 win over Everton.
Spurs were frustrated for much of Saturday’s game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and went ahead when Kane converted a 59th-minute penalty to win after a foul on Jordan Pickford.
Everton had previously missed the best chances of the game, with Amadou Onana and Demarai Gray both missing in the first half.
And any hope for Frank Lampard was extinguished when Hojbjerg’s deflected strike settled the game late on.
A completely dominant start for Spurs only offered one chance when former Everton talisman Richarlison headed in at the back post.
Yet it was Everton who had a golden chance in the 23rd minute – Gray spinning around Rodrigo Bentancuro, only to go over when he was one-on-one with Hugo Lloris.
Onana had a similarly brilliant opportunity and, like his team-mate, failed to capitalize on a precise finish after taking advantage of some slack Spurs defending before Richarlison powered through at the other end.
After Richarlison’s reunion with his old team was cut short shortly after half-time with a calf injury, Spurs created a clear opening when Pickford superbly kept out Kane’s volley.
Yet Pickford was at fault when Spurs finally broke through, with the England keeper adjudged to bring down Kane after spilling Matt Doherty’s effort. The Tottenham striker made no mistake from 12 yards.
Kane almost made it two for Tottenham with a brilliant turn and shot, although Pickford reacted sharply.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s introduction offered a much-needed goal for Everton, although Spurs had the points sealed in the 86th minute when Hojbjerg’s 15-yard effort found the right corner.
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