Spurs 2–2 Everton, Newcastle 3–2 West Ham

Spurs 2–2 Everton

Both Spurs and Everton come into this match that they probably have to win, if they want to have a chance at going to Europe next season. The teams above them are distancing themselves, so they both need these 3 points in the business end of the season.

Spurs’s evening was on and off, with promising signs, but also worrying instances. Tottenham for most of the match were playing catch up with Everton, especially in midfield where James Rodruigez caused havoc for Mussa Sissoko and Pierre Emile Højbjerg. Sissoko and Højbjerg couldn't handle their speed and efficiency. Tottenham would rebound from the attack with an effort of their own, but that doesn’t change the fact that they could have conceded. Joe Rodon was something different to the fairly settled spurs defense, as Davidson Sanchez was placed on the bench today. He had a pretty good game, though he needs to learn to position himself better. Richalerson almost scored early on, when Rodon didn’t clear a ball that eventually rolled to the Brazilian. Hugo Lloris made some important saves to keep Tottenham in the game. His fast reactions denied Rodriguez from close range, among others. He stood no chance for the two goals that he conceded. A pat on the back for him. 

Up the field, Jose Mourinho's side (Harry Kane really), sprung to life when they were given scoring opportunities. Both of the goals that he netted were from lapses in the defense, but he still had loads of work to do. For the first goal, it was all about Michael Kean’s mistake. He completely misjudged Tanguy Ndombele’s cross, heading it to Kane who was unmarked. The Englishman took one touch, and half volleyed it into the bottom corner, past Pickford. For the second goal, Kane was blessed with a similar chance. Lamelas' cross fell between Kean and Mason Holgate. Kean tried to clear the ball by heading it out, but there was a lack of communication between him and holgate. The ball bounced off Holgate’s thigh and fell to Kane, who volleyed the ball into the top corner. These chances that he gets aren’t all luck. He’s simply amazing at finding space, and exploiting it. In this instance, he was rewarded. 

Everton fans may feel that their team should have won the game, and they really could have. The Toffees were outstanding in their attack, and midfield. Their success on the field was solely based in the middle of the park. Gilfi Siggurdson is one of the most underrated players in the premier league. He scored two goals on the night, and, alongside Rodruigez, produced some great link up play, that sliced and diced Spurs’s midfield diamond formation. Unfortunately for Everton, Individual mistakes cost them three valuable points. Michael Kean was mainly responsible for the two goals that Everton let in. He is normally such an important player for the blue side of Liverpool, but this was a terrible display. You would have thought that after making the first mistake like that, he would know to be more vocal and communicate more. He still didn’t learn, and now his team has to settle for a measly point, when they could have leapfrogged Tottenham into 7th place, and still be in contention for Europe.

Everton's first goal was thanks to an error by Sergio Regulon. Rodruigez received the ball from a fizzed cross and was about to take a shot, but was chopped down from behind with a clumsy tackle. It was a great move from Everton’s perspective, cutting Tottenham wide open. Siggurdson stepped up, and tucked it into the far corner. A great response after just conceding. The second goal was all about the super sub, and some Siggurdson magic. Shamus Coleman had only been on the field for a matter of minutes, when he set up the second. After playing a one-two with Richalerson on the byline, he put in a good cross. Siggurdson was on the end of it, side footing the effort with loads of power, out of the reach of Lloris again. It’s a real shame that they let Spurs score right afterwards, because any neutral could see that Everton earned their two goals, definitely more than Tottenham's two. That being said, you’re only as strong as your weakest link, and that couldn’t be more true tonight.

The match finishes honors even, as Tottenham comes back to equalize, in an enthralling fixture. A European place looks unlikely for either team this season, as the top 6 continue to distance themselves.

Newcastle 3–2 West Ham 

Newcastle are trying to distance themselves more from relegation, after their win against Burnley and their draw against Tottenham in past weeks. West Ham continue to fight for a European slot, and a win would at least temporarily send them into third place.  

Newcastle played well enough in the first half and finished the job in the second half, to eek out 3 priceless points. Newcastle likes to play defensive formations, to try and absorb attacks before hitting on the counter themselves. They’ve used the 4-4-2 and the 4-5-1, among others, but they have been using the 5-3-2 formation as of late, and have been earning points with it. When going forward, they looked menacing, because of (you guessed it) Allan Saint-Maximin. The Frenchman was mightily important tonight. On paper, he plays as a strike partnership in the 5-3-2 formation, but he likes to drop deep and play as a midfielder. He should move into midfield, and Newcastle should find an out-and-out forward. Defensively, Newcastle could look shaky. If you squander a 2 goal lead, you wouldn’t exactly be given a guard of honor. Newcastle just isn’t used to being in these winning positions. Steve Bruce needs to implement an instinct to the Magpies, where they won’t become nervous, when defending a lead.

The first goal from Newcastle was engineered by Saint Maximin. After receiving the ball from midfield, he weaved this way and that, until he pulled the trigger from a tight angle, inside of the box. Both Lucas Fabianski and Issa Diop try to clear it off the line, but Diop messed up his footing, and flicked the ball into the back of the net. The second goal for Newcastle came only a few minutes later. This time, it was Fabianski’s time to cower. From a corner, he grabbed hold of the crossed ball, but miraculously dropped it. Joelinton was the sharpest man in the stadium, getting to the ball first, fumbling it in. West Ham scored two goals to equalize temporarily, but late on in the game, Joseph Willock picked up Richies cross, towards goal. Fabianski got a hand to it, but he couldn’t cope with the power, and it went in. This is why Newcastle should stick to the 5-3-2 formation; their fullbacks can get high up the field, and cross the ball into dangerous areas. It paid off for them on the night. 

West Ham’s individual errors cost them points, similar to the Everton versus Tottenham game. David Moyes’s philosophy was still intact today, as West Ham played effective football. In the lead up to Newcastle's second goal, Craig Dawson made a rash tackle on Joelinton, which was his second yellow of the game, and reduced the Hammers to 10 men. West Ham still played Heroically and with the same intensity, even though they had only two center backs. Lucas Fabianski had a game to forget as well, being way too calm for the corner kick, and gifting Newcastle a second goal. Fabianski has been solid all season, but this was just dreadful. Another player who won’t be watching the replays is Benjamin Johnson. He didn’t even try to head out the crossed-in ball, which gave Willock the opportunity to score. In that instance, knowing what’s on the line, all you should think about is getting the ball out. He was far too tame, and his team's efforts have, as a result, come to nothing. 

The Hammers’ first goal was redemption from Diop. Jarrod Bowen put in a tempting cross form midfield, into the box. Diop beat his marker, and got his head to it. He was able to generate enough power on the ball, beating Martin Dubravka. I think Dubravka could have palmed it away, but he couldn’t react fast enough, only getting his fingertips to it. A few minutes later, West Ham got level with the Magpies, from the penalty spot. Ciaran Clark’s arm made contact with the crossed in ball, during a tussle with Tomáš Souček. Jesse Lingard was the one to take the penalty, smashing it into the goal, far from Dubravka’s reach. This really does encapsulate West Ham at the moment. They have so much belief in David Moyes, that even when they are two goals down with 10 men, they find a way to claw themselves back. The end score wasn’t so romantic for the Hammers, but they could leave the field holding their heads high. Even in defeat, they still continue to impress. 

West Ham travel back to West London empty handed. That being said, they still showed spirit, courage, and unity, all qualities of a great team. Newcastle are now up to 15th place with these points, and may just be able to breathe easy now.