Tottenham Player Ratings from Epic FA Cup Loss to Everton

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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 10: Erik Lamela of Tottenham Hotspur battles for possession with Lucas Digne of Everton during The Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Everton and Tottenham Hotspur at Goodison Park on February 10, 2021 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /

Tottenham Midfield Ratings

At times on Wednesday the Tottenham midfield were dominating the game at other times during the match they gave the game away. Turnovers in their own half from Pierre Hujbjerg in the first half and Harry Winks in extra time both led directly to goals that would have not happened as Spurs simply maintained possession. While the midfield did some things well, they should dominate an Everton middle without Gomes, Allan, or James Rodriguez, yet were taken did not.

Pierre Højbjerg – 6.5

Pierre Højbjerg simply looks tired, not because he is walking around or not trying hard, but because he is making mistakes that he simply was not making earlier in the season. Whether it is losing the ball on the dribble, attempting poor tackles in the opposition half to unbalance the squad, or bowling over his teammates, Pierre Højbjerg looks like a man trying too hard, to do too much, with too little in the tank. The results are a chicken running around that sometimes is getting lucky and other times not so much. Højbjerg on form is one of the best in the league, but given the volume of minutes, lack of cover, and enormous responsibility he shoulders, the man needs a rest. Was probably unfairly adjudged to foul Dominic Calvert-Lewin on the penalty that ultimately decided the match.

Tanguy Ndombele – 6

Ndombele was okay during the game as he was able to move the ball around a bit and absorb some Everton pressure at different times. However, Ndombele did not really impact the game on either end of the pitch as he often picked up the ball deep and wide with no real options. Seemed to pick up a knock early which hampered him the rest of the match. Despite not playing all that well, it was VERY obvious when he came off.

Erik Lamela – 8

Erik Lamela was not perfect, he has a couple bad touches and a couple misplaced passes, however, the Argentine was as good if not better than anyone on the pitch on the evening. Lamela did well to track back to get the ball and help defensively, just as he did well finding space and popping up in the channels as a target and outlet for the defense. Spurs are simply better with him on the field right now, but then again, no one else that plays the position well seems to be available, so it is all relative.