Ange Postecoglou is under intense scrutiny following Tottenham Hotspur’s disappointing form in the Premier League. Their struggles deepened with a 3-2 defeat to Everton, a team previously battling relegation.
Everton, reinvigorated under former manager David Moyes, dominated Spurs in the opening 30 minutes, exposing the North London club’s defensive frailties and raising concerns about their season’s trajectory.
While Tottenham has dealt with significant injury issues, their lackluster performance against a struggling Everton side leaves little room for excuses. With key players underperforming and a squad appearing devoid of solutions, Postecoglou faces mounting pressure to turn things around quickly.
Defensive Failures and Key Player Ratings
Several Spurs players endured a torrid outing at Goodison Park:
- Radu Dragusin struggled to contain the agile Iliman Ndiaye, who scored Everton’s second goal. Lacking the commanding presence expected of a top-tier defender, Dragusin left fans questioning his Premier League credentials.
- Archie Gray, playing as a makeshift center-back, compounded Spurs’ problems with an own goal to make it 3-0 before halftime. Despite this, the 18-year-old’s effort in an unfamiliar role this season has earned him some sympathy from supporters.
The issues were not confined to the defense. Heung-min Son, the club captain and once a talismanic figure, delivered a subpar performance that highlighted his continued decline this season.
Heung-min Son’s Decline
Son, a modern-day Spurs legend with 170 goals and 91 assists in 435 appearances, appears to be struggling physically and mentally this season. Against Everton, his impact was minimal:
- He squandered a golden chance set up by Dejan Kulusevski, Tottenham’s most effective player on the day.
- Despite a respectable passing accuracy (85%), his offensive contributions were negligible, with no key passes and just two shots on target.
Football London’s Alasdair Gold rated Son a 4/10, describing his performance as offering “very little else.”
Postecoglou’s decision to keep Son on the pitch for the full 90 minutes, despite his inefficacy, has been heavily criticized. Conversely, 17-year-old Mikey Moore, who made a brief substitute appearance, delivered more dynamism and creativity in just 17 minutes, setting up Richarlison’s late goal and showcasing his potential.
Time for a Change?
With Moore’s bright display and Son’s struggles, the question arises: Should Postecoglou reconsider Son’s starting role? Moore provided an injection of pace, creativity, and hunger, traits that Tottenham sorely missed for most of the game. His sharp movements and ability to find Richarlison for the late goal showcased what Spurs have been lacking from their captain.
Additionally, Richarlison’s return to fitness is a glimmer of hope. His late goal hinted at a revival of form that could provide a much-needed boost to Tottenham’s attack. However, injuries to Brennan Johnson and Timo Werner, sidelining both for the coming weeks, limit Postecoglou’s options.
A Critical Juncture for Postecoglou
The defeat to Everton feels like a pivotal moment in Tottenham’s season. With Leicester City visiting N17 next weekend, Postecoglou faces a defining test. Calls for a more ruthless team selection will only grow louder, especially as Spurs’ bench offers promising young talent like Moore, who appears ready to step up.
For Tottenham, change is no longer optional—it is essential. Whether that means benching Heung-min Son, tweaking tactics, or reevaluating their defensive lineup, Postecoglou must act decisively to salvage Spurs’ fading campaign. With the season nearing its halfway point, every match carries increasing weight for the Australian manager’s future at the club.