Everton f.c. vs Tottenham is one of those fixtures that always seems to carry a weird, heavy energy. It doesn't matter if they’re fighting for the top four or just trying to keep their heads above the relegation water—when these two meet, things get chaotic. You've got the historic weight of Goodison Park (or now the shiny Hill Dickinson Stadium) clashing with the high-octane, sometimes reckless ambition of Spurs.
Honestly, the narrative usually shifts every six months. One minute it’s about a tactical masterclass, and the next, it’s about a center-back scoring a brace while the strikers look on in confusion.
The Chaos of Recent Meetings
If you looked at the scoreline from their last meeting in October 2025, you’d see a 3-0 win for Tottenham and think it was a walk in the park. It wasn't. Micky van de Ven basically decided to be a striker for a day, bagging two goals before halftime. That’s the thing about this fixture lately; the stats tell one story, but the 90 minutes tell another.
Everton actually had more possession in that game. Can you believe that? A David Moyes side—yeah, he’s back in the dugout for the Toffees now—actually kept the ball better than a side coached by Thomas Frank. But Spurs were clinical. They waited, they absorbed, and then they hit like a ton of bricks.
Take a look at the wild swing in results over the last couple of years:
- October 2025: Everton 0-3 Tottenham (The Van de Ven Show)
- January 2025: Everton 3-2 Tottenham (A Goodison classic under the lights)
- August 2024: Tottenham 4-0 Everton (A total collapse by the Blues)
It is never consistent. You can't bet on it with any real confidence because both teams have this innate ability to either play like world-beaters or fall apart in the space of ten minutes.
The New Venue Factor
We have to talk about the move. For decades, Everton f.c. vs Tottenham meant the tight, claustrophobic confines of Goodison. There was a smell of old wood and Bovril in the air. Now, we’re at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Spurs actually made history there by becoming the first away team to ever win at the new ground. That's a bit of a sore spot for the Everton faithful. Losing your "invincible" home aura to a London club in the first few months of opening is... well, it’s very Everton, isn't it?
Tactics: Moyes vs. Frank
The coaching battle has taken a turn for the fascinating. We aren’t seeing the "Angeball" chaos anymore. Thomas Frank has brought a different kind of pragmatism to Spurs. They’re still fast—ridiculously fast with guys like Brennan Johnson—but there’s a structure there that wasn't present a couple of seasons ago.
Moyes, on the other hand, is doing Moyes things.
He’s tightened up the back, mostly. Everton have actually been decent away from home lately, keeping four clean sheets in five games toward the end of 2025. But when they face Spurs, that defensive discipline often goes out the window. They get sucked into a track race.
Key Personnel Issues
Right now, both squads are a bit of a mess.
Spurs just lost Ben Davies to a nasty leg injury against West Ham. He’s 32 now, and with his contract winding down, you have to wonder if he’s played his last game for the club. That leaves a hole in the leadership department.
Everton’s injury list is longer than a CVS receipt.
- Jarrad Branthwaite: He’s back on the grass, but Moyes is being cautious. Losing him is like losing the structural integrity of a building.
- Jack Grealish: Yeah, he’s in the mix now. He missed the Sunderland cup disaster but he’s the spark they need to actually transition from defense to attack without just hoofing it.
- Michael Keane: Suspended. Which, depending on which Everton fan you ask, is either a tragedy or a blessing in disguise.
The Mental Block
Why does Everton struggle so much against Spurs historically? The H2H is pretty grim if you're a Blue. Out of 177 meetings, Tottenham has 68 wins compared to Everton's 50.
There’s a sort of "big club" complex that happens. Even when Spurs are having a mid-season crisis, they seem to find their shooting boots against Everton. It’s like a reset button for them. For Everton, it’s often a game where they realize exactly how far they are from the European spots they crave.
"One or two are back on the grass, but I don't think they will be available for this weekend."
— David Moyes on the current injury crisis.
That quote basically sums up the Everton experience lately. Always almost having a full-strength squad, but never quite getting there.
What to Watch for in the Next Clash
The next time these two face off—May 24, 2026—it’s going to be the season finale. It’s at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. If things stay as tight as they are in the table, that game could be the difference between a Europa League spot and a very disappointing summer.
👉 See also: Sam Darnold: The Resurrection Nobody Actually Saw Coming
The Midfield Battle
If James Garner and Pape Matar Sarr are both fit, that’s where the game is won. Sarr has this annoying habit (annoying for the opposition, anyway) of being everywhere at once. Garner is the metronome for Everton. If you stop Garner, you stop Everton from breathing.
Set Piece Danger
Spurs have become surprisingly efficient at set-piece routines. In the 3-0 win, headers from corners and wide free-kicks were the killers. Everton used to be the kings of the "Dyche-ball" corner, but they’ve lost that edge. They need to get it back if they want to survive the North London pressure.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're following the Everton f.c. vs Tottenham rivalry, keep an eye on the Friday press conferences. With both teams dealing with AFCON returns (like Ndiaye and Gueye) and long-term hamstrings, the starting XI is a moving target.
For those looking at the 2026 finale, tickets are already being touted for upwards of £300 for hospitality packages. It’s a massive draw.
Watch the "Transition" stat. Spurs score most of their goals against Everton within 10 seconds of winning the ball back. If Everton can’t fix their rest-defense, the May fixture will be a repeat of the October blowout.
Keep track of Jarrad Branthwaite’s fitness specifically. Everton’s win percentage drops by nearly 20% when he’s not anchoring that back four. If he's out, expect a high-scoring game because the defense loses its "recovery pace" entirely.
Check the official Premier League injury table 48 hours before kickoff. That is the only way to know who is actually "on the grass" versus who is actually in the squad.