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Tottenham v. Everton: 5 reasons to back Spurs to overcome the Toffees

By Rucker Haringey

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 03: Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur and Tom Cleverley of Everton during the Barclays Premier League match between Everton and Tottenham Hotspur at Goodison Park on January 3, 2016 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 03: Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur and Tom Cleverley of Everton during the Barclays Premier League match between Everton and Tottenham Hotspur at Goodison Park on January 3, 2016 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 26: Jan Vertonghen of Tottenham Hotspur is shakes hands with Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Stoke City at White Hart Lane on February 26, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 26: Jan Vertonghen of Tottenham Hotspur is shakes hands with Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Stoke City at White Hart Lane on February 26, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images) /

3. Jan Vertonghen can silence Seamus Coleman

When I take a look at the projected starting XIs for this match, Everton’s biggest advantage would seem to be on the right side of the pitch. If the Toffees can isolate Seamus Coleman against Ben Davies they may enjoy a great deal of success.

Unfortunately for Koeman’s club, Jan Vertonghen will be lying in wait behind Davies for most of the match. From the Spurs perspective, it’s imperative that their left-footed Belgian support the Welshman defensively.

Admittedly, that does free up more space for Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku. Pochettino will rely on his defensive midfielders to keep those Everton stars relatively quiet. Their presence will allow Vertonghen to pay significant attention to Coleman’s dangerous forays into the final third.

In all honesty, if Danny Rose were fit this wouldn’t be nearly as much of a concern. He would try to pin Coleman back with his own dynamic runs. Davies doesn’t have the same athleticism. He’s the weak link in Spurs starting XI, but Vertonghen will bail him out against Coleman.

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