A season full of pain, frustration and anguish ended on a truly positive note on Sunday afternoon with a monumental win against Everton on the final day of the campaign to retain their Premier League status.
After a difficult nine months, the game against N17 lasted for over 100 tense minutes, but in the end it was Joao Parinha’s goal just before half-time that separated the teams. It was our first home league win since December and maybe our third all season, but what a great time to get it.
Elsewhere in London, relegation rivals West Ham United did their job, beating Leeds United and ensuring they can’t afford to lose against Everton. And while we had to hold the lead, we defended it to the death. Stoppage time went into 102 minutes to be exact, and the Toffees gave everything they had in the final minutes. However, we persevered and held on to our three points, and when the final whistle rang, a sense of euphoria spread through the stadium, and the players fell to their knees in a mixture of exhaustion and joy, letting out a collective sigh of relief.
Roberto de Zerbi arrived in mid-April to steady the ship and he did just that, managing seven games and getting us over the line with this huge result against Everton, with three wins, two draws and two losses.
On a scorching May day, the hottest on record, there was a great atmosphere at High Road to welcome the arrival of the team’s coach, and the atmosphere continued inside the stadium as fans celebrated the day. The players were encouraged because we were the much better team for most of the game and we got off to a great start with three early chances. In the 6th minute, the ball floated into the box, Jordan Pickford and Michael Keane getting in each other’s way, and eventually the ball fell to Conor Gallagher, who could only fire a shot into the side netting. Continuing to maintain their pace, they won a corner four minutes later, which was placed at the feet of Kevin Danso, who ran wide in front of goal from eight yards before Pedro Polo’s free-kick was headed over and hit Palinha at the back post, but his shot went wide over the crossbar.
Everton’s first goal came in the 22nd minute, when James Garner took a free-kick on the right that went wide of the visitors’ head in the centre. A short drinks break ensued due to the stifling heat and once we got back on the road it was a more even match, although perhaps the weather had an early effect.
The tricky Iliman Ndiayi threatened with a stunning run just after the half-hour mark, but his final shot was blocked and at the other end Danso’s header from a corner went to Pickford, with Richarlison lurking. Matthijs Tell then took a curling shot that would have troubled Pickford if it didn’t hit James Tarkouksi on the head.
But just two minutes before the break, there was elation in the stadium as they took the lead. Gallagher was fouled at the corner flag on his own left, and Porro’s free-kick was headed against the post by Palinha, but he was quickest to react to the rebound and poked it past Pickford, unable to prevent Tierno Barry from breaking over his line. It was perfect timing to score and we went into the interval with everything going well.
After a delayed restart due to match officials’ equipment not working properly, Jed Spence fired a shot into the bottom corner in the 48th minute, but Pickford spilled it and the ball rolled just in front of the post.
News broke just after the hour mark that West Ham had taken the lead, adding to the intrigue of the afternoon. It arrived at a time in the game when Everton were beginning to enjoy more possession, even if Antonin Kinski was untested in goal.
As the game entered its final stages, it was all about controlling the game correctly rather than aiming for additional points, and new players such as James Madison were brought in to take control in the final stages.
Instead, with five minutes left, Carlos Alcaraz slid in to Tyrik George and pulled the ball across the six-yard box as he faced Kinski, but almost conceded a goal when our defender returned to stop the danger and Kinski collected the ball. When the final whistle sounded at the London Stadium, we had nine minutes to negotiate and the visitors had another half-chance when Keane’s header went just over the crossbar.
We really struggled to keep possession and kept the pressure on. It was heartbreaking when George cut inside from the left and fired a shot into the top corner, but Kinski made a great diving save to send it over the bar. Eventually, the final whistle rang and the survivor was determined.
Match data
Spurs (4-2-3-1): Kinski, Pedro Polo, Danso, Van de Ven (c), Oudogui (Dragusin 90), Bentancur (Gray 82), Parinha, Spence, Gallagher (Madison 82), Tell (Sard 73), Richarlison (Colo Muani 73). Substitutes (unused): Vicario, Bergvall, Bisouuma, Solanke.
Everton (4-2-3-1): Pickford, O’Brien (Armstrong 63), Tarkowski (c), Keane, Mykolenko, Irogbunam (Coleman 84), Garner, Roll (George 62), Dewsbury-Hall (Alcaraz 84), Ndiaye, Barry (Beto 84). Substitutes (unused): Travers, McNeil, Dibring, Azunou.
Match data
Goal: Spurs – Parinha 43.
Yellow cards: Spurs – Sarr, Parinha, Kinski. Everton – O’Brien, Tarkowski.
Referee: Michael Oliver.
The venue is Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Weather: Sunny, light wind, 30 degrees.
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