Tottenham: Ange Postecoglou frustrated by set-piece Everton goals
Ange Postecoglou lamented how his Tottenham team dropped two points against an Everton side whose “only threat” came from set-pieces.
Spurs were heading to victory through two fine finishes by Richarlison, until Jarrad Branthwaite’s 94th-minute goal snatched the Toffees a 2-2 draw at Goodison Park.
That late leveller was from a free-kick, while Everton’s first equaliser scored by Jack Harrison came from one of a number corner kicks in which they put pressure on Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.
A draw left Tottenham fourth, two points off second-place Manchester City and Arsenal in third, both of whom have games in hand.
“Pretty disappointed, particularly conceding so late," a downbeat Postecoglou said. “We had chances to kill them off that we didn’t take. In the end, they got one late.
“That was the only threat they had — we had to deal with them throwing balls into the box all game. [Jordan] Pickford has pulled off two or three good saves. We had good chances, we just couldn’t get the third.”
Asked whether it feels like a point won or two lost, the Aussie replied: “It definitely feels like two lost. The manner in which they play makes it difficult for any opponent. For the most part, I thought we handled it OK.
“We needed another goal, especially because in the last 10 minutes, it [an Everton equaliser] is almost inevitable.”
Richarlison’s double made it nine goals in his last eight Premier League appearances for the Brazilian.
Postecoglou said about his striker: “Richy has been good for a while, not just his goals but his general all-round play. I thought he was good today. He worked hard today. All the lads put in a solid shift today.”