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Three reasons Everton is a must win game for Tottenham Hotspur

By Aaron Coe

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 10: Richarlison of Everton scores their side's second goal whilst under pressure from Toby Alderweireld of Tottenham Hotspur during The Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Everton and Tottenham Hotspur at Goodison Park on February 10, 2021 in Liverpool, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 10: Richarlison of Everton scores their side's second goal whilst under pressure from Toby Alderweireld of Tottenham Hotspur during The Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Everton and Tottenham Hotspur at Goodison Park on February 10, 2021 in Liverpool, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /
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We have known for some time that every game Tottenham plays from here on out is a must-win. That said, there are several reasons that Tottenham especially needs to win Friday at Goodison Park against Everton. Here are three reasons Friday is a must-win game for Tottenham Hotspur.

Tottenham reaching European Competition

Winning the Carabao Cup can guarantee at least making the Europa League Playoff stage but leaving everything on 90 minutes against Manchester City is not a great idea. Tottenham really needs to hedge their bets and make a run over the last seven games to have any shot at qualifying for Europe through their Premier League finish.

Right now, Tottenham is still mathematically alive for the top four but much like last year settling for Europa League may be a possible alternative. For the Spurs to qualify for either competition in Europe, they need to win out more or less, which starts with Everton on Friday.

Even more than the money, it is the prestige and the matches and competition that the Lilywhites need. Any more losses, especially one to a direct rival like Everton will be damning to the Spurs’ chances of European football next season. So Friday is a must-win.

Everton is a direct competitor and to lose to them three times says something

It is one thing to lose to a team once, another to lose to a team twice. However, if you lose to a team three times in a single football season that team is simply better than you.  The Spurs lost 4-5 in a FA Cup instant classic back in February and 0-1 at home on the opening day of the Premier League season.

Despite everything that has transpired this season, I think most Spurs fans will have a very difficult time swallowing the idea that Everton is better than Tottenham. However, three wins in one season would make that very hard to argue.

Even worse would be the position in the table concerning Everton that would leave Tottenham in. Tottenham is ahead of Everton in the live table heading into the game, however, with a match in hand and only one point behind the Spurs, the Toffees in theory are actually in front of the Lilywhites.

If the Spurs lose on Friday, they would essentially be five points back of Everton, with two real points and a game in hand to go. Alternatively, if Tottenham wins, that puts the Spurs four points up on Everton, meaning that game in hand is no longer an issue.

A loss likely means Tottenham ends the weekend only 1 point in front of Arsenal

I hate even writing about this last point as one of the few bright spots in the season has been the fact that Tottenham has been above Arsenal more or less from the off. Not having to listen to Arsenal fans and even seeing the Gunners flirt with the relegation zone early was great. Now, however, things are quite different.

Currently, Arsenal is only four points back of Tottenham and now in the Europa League’s semi-finals. The Gunners play Fulham on Sunday so they are favored to win. If Tottenham loses and Arsenal wins, that leaves the Gunners only 1 point back of the Lilywhites with six games to go.

Finishing above Arsenal for the last several years has been a real bright spot for Tottenham and helped to quiet the Gunner faithful. However, the idea of actually finishing behind them in the league this season seemed almost unthinkable at one point but would be staring the team smack in the face if they lose to Everton.

Next. The XI that Will Beat Everton. dark