Gareth Bale, Tottenham Hotspur
With the Premier League wrapped up by Manchester United, the race for Champions League spots has become the focus. Everton travel to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday charged with clawing back points on the third-placed Londoners who are one of their main rivals in the hunt for Champions League football next term.
Everton lie six points behind Tottenham having played a game less and a win here for the Toffees will mean they will be equal on points with Spurs if they are to win that game in hand.
After two consecutive losses in the Premier League, Tottenham Hotspur stopped their recent rot with a 2-1 win at Swansea City to leapfrog Chelsea into third place, although they have played a game more. Jan Vertonghen’s classy finish put Tottenham ahead in the 17th minute and the Belgian then teed up Gareth Bale to beat Michel Vorm with a vicious strike from outside the area. Michu replied with a 71st-minute header, but Spurs held on.
Speaking after the game, Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas was pleased to see his side pick up some momentum in the pursuit of UEFA Champions League qualification following recent defeats by Liverpool and Fulham. Bale, who scored yet another goal which proved to be the winner, has been one of the standout players in the Premier League this season, prompting many to make comparisons between himself, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
In recent matches he has started as a more central attacker by Andres Villas Boas to see more of the ball and Everton will need to watch him there as their central midfield won’t be their strongest pairing due to injuries. They have a UEFA Europa League quarter-final against Swiss side Basel on Thursday to contest with before this league clash.
Everton also took advantage of Chelsea’s slip-up with a 1-0 win at home to Stoke City that left David Moyes’ side four points below the top four in sixth. Kevin Mirallas settled the game with a fine solo effort in the 28th minute, surging forward from his own half and wrong-footing a defender before sliding the ball past the goalkeeper. They earned a morale boosting win over Manchester City in their previous match which has significantly increased their chances of Champions League qualification.
After the match Moyes said: “I am nearly as pleased with that result as I was with the one against Manchester City a fortnight ago. We have not got a great record against Stoke so it was great to get over the line. It is great that we are going into April and people are still talking about Everton having a chance of a Champions League spot.” With the Toffees missing Steven Pienaar and Maroune Fellaini – two of their three most creative players who have fashioned out over 25 percent of their side’s chances – Kevin Mirallas chose the perfect moment to take centre stage and shine. Considering Pienaar and Fellaini are still suspended for this fixture, the speedy Belgian’s presence will be imperative to his side.
Everton won the reverse fixture 2-1. However, they have only managed four wins in 14 away matches this season, drawing six and losing four. Tottenham won this fixture 2-0 last season and are tipped for an inspired victory.
