Tottenham Hotspur – Everton: Ancelotti’s Fresh Midfield Defeats Sluggish Spurs (0-1)

Carlo Ancelotti’s new look for Everton has given them their first win at Tottenham Hotspur since 2008, and a great start to the new season. A change to the 4-3-3 formation improved the buildup play, while James Rodríguez’s silky touches and switches took the limelight in a deserved victory. 
Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker.

After turmoil starts to the 2019/20 season, Spurs and Everton turned to two managerial veterans to change the tide. Now, José Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti head into their first full campaigns, with an aim to reminisce former glories for both themselves and the respective clubs.

Tottenham snuck into Europa League qualification on the final day, but that does not hide the stale season they had just endured. The days of Mauricio Pochettino’s compact high block A high block refers to a team that regularly leaves their own half out of possession, to disrupt their opponents far into the attacking half. and counterpressing After losing possession, a team immediately moves towards the ball as a unit to regain possession, or at least slow down the pace of the counterattack. were far from over, but Mourinho’s conservative approach in defense and unproductive buildup play offered very little solution. 

His actions in the transfer window have been limited, but Spurs made two important additions to bolster their defensive presence, Pierre-Emile Højbjerg and Matt Doherty. Both offer vital coverage in the defensive midfield and right back positions, but Tottenham yearns for a total restructure off the ball, to gain the silverware they crave.

Both Doherty and Højbjerg started in Tottenham’s 4-2-3-1 formation. Mourinho . . .