Once again architects of their own downfall, Tottenham Hotspur committed numerous personal errors to end their FA Cup run.
It has become a common theme this season. When Spurs lose or squander a lead, it’s usually due to individual implosion. Rarely does an opponent beat Tottenham of their own volition with a moment of brilliance.
Jose Mourinho’s usually defensive system relies on mistake-free football, but a rash of mistakes last night cost Tottenham a place in the FA Cup quarterfinal, a couple of which from an extremely unlikely source.
Mistakes from an unlikely source
Pierre-Emile Højbjerg is ordinarily Tottenham’s most consistent, reliable defensive force. Unlike a number of his teammates, Højbjerg rarely makes a mistake, let alone being culpable for two opposition goals.
A wayward touch got away from him on Everton’s equalizer. Højbjerg coughed the ball up deep in his own territory, allowing Dominic Calvert-Lewin to cash in. Hugo Lloris had a chance to save his teammate’s blushes, like Højbjerg has so often done for the Frenchman, but Spurs’ enigmatic keeper was only able to parry the venomous drive into his own net.
Lightning struck twice just before the stroke of halftime, with incidental contact on Calvert-Lewin compounding the Dane’s misery. The innocuous incident cost Spurs a penalty with just two minutes left in the opening half, which Gylfi Sigurðsson deposited with aplomb.
The stout Dane can be forgiven for a match he’ll want to forget. This one-off performance only goes to prove that even steely, robotic-like Danes are human, fallible and imperfect.
The return of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
Lloris simply has to make the save on Calvert-Lewin’s opener. Sure, it was hit pure, with pace and fervour. However, the ball was hit at a perfect height for Lloris to turn behind the goal, especially as he was only forced to dive slightly to his left.
Lloris’ hands need to be stronger and more assured. Tottenham can ill-afford to concede goals of that nature, especially on the back of a teammate’s giveaway. Lloris had a glorious chance to save Højbjerg’s bacon while, in the process, covering himself in glory. But like so many times before, Lloris bottled it.
While he made a few outstanding saves against a rampant Toffees side, Lloris too often negates wonderful work by committing unnecessary haphazard blunders. He is football’s curious, maddening case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
It will be interesting to see whether Lloris secures his spot as Spurs’ first-choice keeper in seasons to come. Because his inconsistency is certainly hampering Tottenham’s overall progress.
Collective disorganization
Spurs’ defensive core were mostly culpable on Everton’s fourth and fifth goals. On Everton’s second, Toby Alderweireld didn’t get close enough to Richarlison, who smashed a seeing-eye shot between the Belgian’s legs before beating a helpless Lloris.
Toby could have closed Richarlison sooner, but he was worried about the Brazilian’s pace and trickery. The Belgian centre back should have done better, but blaming him for the goal would be slightly harsh. Richarlison was full value for the goal, taking both Toby and Hugo out of the equation with one wonderful strike.
But Everton’s fourth and fifth goals cannot happen if Spurs are to ascend to the apex of the Premier League. Toby and Davinson were out of sorts, attempting to either play offside traps or simply losing their marks. In conjunction with trying to play too high a line, there was a distinct lack of communication. Spurs were adamant that Richarlison was offside on Everton’s fourth. He was clearly on, shining a rather ominous light on Tottenham’s rearguard.
And then there was Bernard’s winner: The Brazilian was in acres of space only eight yards from Tottenham’s goal. Jose’s backline must be way tighter, particularly with a knockout match on the cusp of going to penalties. Bernard couldn’t believe his luck and deposited the gift with ease, leaving Lloris with no chance. Those defensive lapses must be completely eradicated from Tottenham’s game if they are to win any silverware this season.