EPL SOCIALS LEAGUE
MATCH 2 - 31 JAN 15, 1500hrs@Greenview Secondary School (Grass Pitch)
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2
EVERTON 4
(Edmund Li, Maran Muthusamy, Owen Koh, Barry Low)
[Half-Time: 0-1]
EVERTON TEAM LINE-UP (4-4-1-1)
GOALKEEPER
Wee Eng Soon
DEFENDERS
Right-back: Gary Tan
Left-back: Helmi Osman (C)
Centre-back: Muhammad Haiqal
Centre-back: Keng Wei Terk
MIDFIELDERS
Central: Tan Kim Leng
Central: Edmund Li
Right: Tan Zhang Sheng
Left: Khoo Yee Tian
ATTACKING MIDFIELDER
Owen Koh
STRIKER
Barry Low
SUBSTITUTES
Muhammad Al-Syafiq
Jalil Noor
Haffis Suwaibah
David Chew
Malek
Teo Jun Kai
Maran Muthusamy
Humaizie Putra
MAN-OF-THE-MATCH
Edmund Li
Everton Socials entered this game buzzing having won their season-opener 7-2 over Newcastle United. Tottenham, meanwhile, were having a Jackyl & Hyde-kind of start of their season, having beaten Man Utd 6-1 in the opener but falling to Liverpool 2-8 in their second game.
The pitch was admittedly not in the best condition; with sand & bare pitches covering large swathes of the ground; but to both teams' credit, they went about their business and stroked the ball on the ground in the right way. It was the hosts who started the game in the brighter fashion, with their confident passing and long diagonal balls causing panic to the Everton defence in the opening stages. Midway through the first half, a dangerous cross from the left-flank following a Spurs corner saw one of their attackers leaping dangerously only to see his effort crash off the crossbar.
Around the 30th minute, against the run of play, Everton took the lead when experienced striker Jalil laid the ball off to attacking midfielder Edmund, who found time & space just outside the box to curl home a superb long-range drive. Spurs were visibly shocked, and though they tried to get back on level terms before the break, proceedings were much more even now with the visitors having found renewed confidence with their breakthrough.
The second half was a rather thrilling affair with both sides going hell-for-leather and the ball pinging all over the place in an enthralling contest. Spurs pushed forward in numbers to try to get back on level terms, with their winger Hairul starting to come to the fore with a few dazzling runs down the Spurs left. The nifty Spurs right-winger also impressed with his pace & skill. With the heat and pace of the match becoming a factor, both teams started to roll on the substitutes in quick succession, with a rotation policy that Claudio 'Tinkerman' Ranieri would have been proud of.
Again, slightly against the run of play, Everton substitute winger Maran Muthusamy scored to give Everton a two-goal lead. Again it was Jalil who produced the assist, latching on to a poor clearance from the Spurs goalie to feed Maran for the un-erring shot. Spurs were having the better of possession but it was the visitors who were being more clinical with their chances. Meanwhile, the Everton defence was doing a good job repelling the Spurs attacks.
Around the 25th minute of the second half, and Spurs managed to pull one back. They had been winning a succession of free-kicks in & around the Everton area; and from one of those flighted in from the right, they got back into the game. A defensive header back to his goalie from right-back Gary Tan was unfortunately mis-read by Eng Soon, who allowed the ball to squirm past his grasp and roll into the net. It was a rare mistake by the Toffees' custodian, who apart from that error, played a fine match, making many saves from both shots & crosses.
Spurs were now sensing a way back to parity; and started to pour forward in numbers as the game went into full tilt. Another free-kick, this time from the Spurs left, drifted into the Everton box. David's clearing header was slightly mis-directed; and a Spurs forager stuck out his leg to poke the ball home. It was a rather scrappy goal; and it could well be argued that both goals Everton conceded could actually have been prevented; but on the balance of the overall game, it would be hard to discredit Spurs their goals.
The game was balanced on a knife-edge now; and Spurs even felt like they could go for the winner. However, the Everton team-spirit paid off in the final 8 minutes when the young striker legs of Owen Koh and Barry Low came up with the goods. First up, the visitors managed to spring the Spurs offside trap down the attacking left. Khoo Tian, who had missed a decent shooting chance just minutes earlier, found space and picked out Owen with a nice pass. Owen, scorer of 2 goals in the season-opener against Newcastle, continued his hot streak with a precise finish low to the 'keeper's right. Cue wild celebrations from the Everton dug-out.
It was now entering the final 5 minutes and Spurs were getting a little desperate. With the Everton front-line continuing to pressure them, the Spurs 'keeper's rather hurried clearance ricocheted off a few bodies and fell to the path of Barry, whose hardworking afternoon was rewarded with another laser-like finish to the 'keeper's right.
Everton were well & truly smelling it now and Jalil, who had a good afternoon troubling the home defence with his hold-up work and clever passing, nearly got Everton's fifth with an innovative long-range volley that sailed wide. Spurs, to their credit, never gave up and continued to press, winning a succession of corners, notably down their attacking left. However, Everton's defensive prowess continued to hold strong and rebuffed any Spurs exertions.
In the end, it was a superb, end-to-end game full of excitement and vigour. Everton's powerful team-spirit and strength in depth paid off in the end. Against anyone's expectations, this young & fledgling team is now top of the league after winning both of their opening two games.
