ROBERTO MARTINEZ was asked earlier this season why Everton had not rivalled Tottenham in the chase to sign Dele Alli.
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| The draw at Goodison Park between Everton and Tottenham sees Spurs' three-game winning run end |
Having bought Brendan Galloway from MK Dons at the start of last season, Martinez's scouts had watched the young midfielder close up only for the manager to decide he did not need him with Ross Barkley already at his disposal.
Given the versatility of both players, he may regret not being greedy. England coach Roy Hodgson will surely not make the same mistake.
This may be the sort of afternoon which says to some why Tottenham are not yet ruthless enough to win the title, but there was plenty of sheen on their performance, especially in a dominant opening half, to suggest they should not be discounted either.
It was epitomised by the majesty of the equalising goal from the impressive Alli in first-half stoppage time which came with the visitors trailing to an excellent strike from their former winger Aaron Lennon and beset by bad luck having twice hit the woodwork.
There was a time when Tottenham would have panicked and lost their way. Instead, Mauricio Pochettino saw his side carry on playing, sticking to their instincts, and then playing some more. Toby Alderweireld's 50-yard forward pass over the top of Everton centre-back John Stones was hit with purpose rather than being an aimless punt, and found the perfectly timed run of Alli breaking away from Seamus Coleman.
Alli, playing as a No10 and full of menacing touches, controlled the ball on his chest before dispatching a volley into the bottom corner in one slick movement. This is a teenager who was an unused substitute in an FA Cup tie for MK Dons against Chesterfield a year ago and his rise is one of the stories of the season.
The goal was no less than Tottenham deserved for a dominant opening half in which they boasted 62 per cent of possession against an Everton side who retreated into a defensive shell in an attempt to stem the glut of 20 goals they have conceded at Goodison Park. It only just worked.
Harry Kane thudded a 20-yard shot against the foot of the post from the right of the penalty area after nine minutes, the ball bouncing agonisingly across the face of Tim Howard's goal, and Ben Davies struck the crossbar from a more central position after a corner was played out to him thereafter.
Perhaps despite the clever angles of their passing - Tom Carroll was another impressive Englishman - Tottenham did not create a cluster of clear-cut chances needed to turn draws into victories. This was their ninth stalemate of the campaign and that Pochettino revealed the music which usually reverberates in the dressing room post-match had been turned off, served as a sign of their disappointment.
That Martinez, who is closing on a deal for Swiss Under-21 forward Shani Tarashaj, appeared the happier of the two managers was largely because of Everton's initial struggles when they scored against the run of play.
Leighton Baines' back-heel to Cleverley was followed by a raking 40-yard pass drilled towards Romelu Lukaku, whose headed knock-down was perfect for Lennon.
He controlled with his chest and then steered a thrilling right-footed shot on the half-volley inside the far post for his first goal at Goodison Park. For two managers whose philosophy is to keep possession the manner in which both goals were conceived showed once again it is not about long, or short, balls but the right one.
Incredibly, Everton's accounted for three of the four touches the hosts had in Tottenham's penalty area in the first 45 minutes - a header from Kone was the other - and not for Lennon the current trend of not celebrating against former employers.
He was not given a squad number by Pochettino at the start of the season and took it upon himself to train with the youth team before Everton offered him a chance to rekindle his fortunes.
His contribution was a timely reminder of his talent for all concerned and there was palpable discontent when he was replaced by Gerard Deulofeu after an hour.
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| Aaron Lennon gave Everton the lead |
Stones had produced an important challenge to deny Kane after Alli had chested Davies' cross into his path by then, but the introduction of Deulofeu and Mo Besic enlivened Everton.
Coaxed and cajoled by Barkley, the hosts finished on the front foot with Hugo Lloris producing an outstanding save to tip over Besic's volley. Ramiro Funes Mori sent his header from the resulting corner flashing wide. Tottenham took a point and at the same time made one.
EVERTON (4-2-3-1): Howard 6; Coleman 6, Stones 6, Funes Mori 7, Baines 7; Cleverley 6, Barry 7; Lennon 7 (Deulofeu 60, 7), Barkley 7, Kone 6 (Besic 60, 7); Lukaku 7. Booked: Coleman. Goal: Lennon 22. NEXT UP: Man City (h) COC, Wed.
TOTTENHAM (4-2-3-1): Lloris 7; Walker 7, Alderweireld 7, Vertonghen 7, Davies 7; Dier 7, Carroll 7; Eriksen 7 (Son 69, 6), Alli 8 (Chadli 83), Lamela 7 (Onomah 88); Kane 7. Booked: Lamela, Carroll. Goal: Alli 45. NEXT UP: Leicester (h) FAC, Sun.
REFEREE: Michael Oliver (Northumberland).
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