FOR Harry Kane, two out of three ain’t bad.
And his penalty was crucial in turning the game in Tottenham’s favour.
When Kane missed the second of two spotkicks in the Champions League game against Eintracht Frankfurt, he and Spurs were a little lucky that it did not cost them.
But the home fans yet again had cause to be grateful to their talismanic No 10 for playing a decisive role in making sure a display that was frustrating at times nevertheless produced an important victory.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg added a late second but it was Kane who made the difference.
He just loves playing against Everton, and this was his 14th goal in 15 Premier League games against the Merseysiders.
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Kane’s penalty set Tottenham on the way to their eighth successive home win in the league, a run stretching back to the end of last season.
It’s their best sequence since the 2016/17 campaign, when Mauricio Pochettino’s side challenged for the title only to be pipped by a Chelsea side led by a certain Antonio Conte.
If Spurs can keep grinding out wins like this then it’s possible they will still be there or thereabouts in May.
Just don’t expect it to be as much fun as watching Pochettino’s team.
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Kane started the week by reading a bedtime story on CBeebies.
But if you have a child who struggles to settle at night, you might also try showing them some footage of Conte’s Tottenham – quite a lot of this game, for example.
Talks between Tottenham and Google about a naming rights deal are at an early stage and the internet giant would be a fittingly blue-chip sponsor for the magnificent stadium.
Time will also tell whether Conte can build a side worthy of the club’s facilities and traditions.
It doesn’t matter what search engine you use: type in Tottenham or their manager’s name, and “sexy football” and “sparkling entertainment” will not be top of the results.
Everton, in the end, could have no complaints about defeat beyond regretting their inability to convert a couple of golden first-half chances.
Lampard’s side are no longer the soft touches they were when losing 5-0 at the same venue in March and looking like a decent bet for relegation to the Championship.
Of the starting 11 from that day, only Jordan Pickford and captain Seamus Coleman began the game – although a third survivor, Richarlison, was on the pitch, but in Tottenham’s colours.
The Toffees still have problems scoring goals but they went into the game with the joint meanest defence in the league.
Frank Lampard’s response to the challenge of managing Tottenham’s mobile front three was to deploy Dwight McNeil on the left of a five-man defence and demand a high workrate when his team did not have the ball, which was a lot of the time.
Richarlison should have done better with an early free header but otherwise Spurs found it hard to create chances.
There’s a long way to go, but James Tarkowski and Conor Coady are leading contenders for signings of the season.
Tarkowski gave Kane early notice that he was not going to have as easy a time against Everton as usual and can count himself unfortunate not to be in England contention.
Coady IS in Southgate’s plans and showed the other side of his game with a fine diagonal pass that set up the second best chance of the first half.
Demarai Gray turned Rodrigo Bentancur and bore down on Hugo Lloris’ goal, but hit his shot badly off target.
Kane almost created something out of nothing for himself, but England colleague Pickford snuffed out the danger.
It said a lot about Tottenham that their player of the season so far, Hojbjerg, made the mistake that gave Everton another great opportunity.
This time it was Amadou Onana who charged through but like Gray he could not even hit the target. Richarlison volleyed Kane’s cross over the bar in stoppage-time but Spurs did not deserve to go into the break in front.
Something had to change and an injury to the Brazilian forced Conte’s hand early in the second period.
On came Yves Bissouma to give Spurs another body in midfield and, the home fans, hoped a better balance.
Almost immediately Kane connected well with a Ben Davies cross but Pickford saved well and Son Heung-Min hit the follow-up over the bar.
The South Korean then failed to get enough on a header from an Ivan Perisic cross to trouble the Everton goalkeeper.
But then Pickford undid all his good work. After spilling Matt Doherty’s shot, he compounded the error by bringing down Kane.
The England captain moved anothers step closer to Jimmy Greaves’ all-time club record with an emphatic penalty kick.
Pickford denied Kane a second soon afterwards, and one goal always looked like being enough despite Dominic Calvert-Lewin coming off the visitors’ bench.
But Hojbjerg’s deflected effort after a Bentancur cross made sure of the result.
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Everton are now much harder to beat, yet still find it tough to win.
As long as Kane keeps scoring and Spurs keep winning, few at White Hart Lane will care that they are easy to admire but difficult to love.
Stern test ahead for Spurs
Tottenham have two Premier League games in a week to focus on.
Firstly, a trip to Old Trafford to face Erik ten Hag’s Man Utd.
Conte’s side will then face Eddie Howe’s Newcastle back in North London.
If Spurs can pick up six points from those two games, they really do make a statement about their ability to mount a title-challenge this season.
Everton’s resolve finally unpicked
Jordan Pickford gifted Spurs a chance to break the deadlock in North London this evening.
Despite dominating possession, Conte’s side could not find a way through the rigid lines of defence that Lampard set out.
When Pickford failed to gather a routine shot, then hauling down Harry Kane as he looked to take the ball around the hapless keeper.
For all the good work he may do, Jordan Pickford always seems to have one of those moments in his locker every game.
Credit: AFP Conte breaking records at Spurs
Tottenham sit 3rd in the Premier League table, behind Man City only on goal difference.
The 23 points they have amassed in their 10 games so far is a new record for the North London club.
Beating their haul of 22 points in 2011/12.
Credit: Getty
FT: Tottenham 2-0 Everton
The referee brings the game to a close.
Tottenham have their greatest return of points after 10 games in a Premier League season as they notch up their 23rd point today.
Kane continues his fine scoring form against the Merseyside outfit.
Tottenham 2-0 Everton
90+4. Spence, Skipp and Moura come on for Tottenham.
Antonio Conte allows Harry Kane to come off to an ovation.
This has been a good win for the North London side.
Tottenham 2-0 Everton
90+2. It is all Tottenham now.
Everton have dialled out of this game at 2-0 down.
Over the course of the 90 minutes, you would have to say that Tottenham have deserved the three points between the two sides.
Tottenham 2-0 Everton
90. We are going to have five additional minutes.
Not enough time for Everton to mount a comeback surely.
This has been a tough victory for Spurs if they hold on.
Credit: Reuters Tottenham 2-0 Everton
88. That goal must seal the victory now for Spurs.
Three wins on the bounce in all competitions.
It will put them level on points with Man City in the table.
Goal – Pierre-Emile Hjobjerg (Tottenham)
Tottenham 1-0 Everton
86. Hojbjerg stretches out a calf with a bout of cramp.
Footballers are only asked to play 90 minutes a couple of times a week.
Imagine if your plumber asked you to stretch his calves, two hours into your bathroom refit.
Tottenham 1-0 Everton
84. Antonio Conte will be tempted to protect their slender lead now.
The three points are the most important thing now.
Everton are going to try and throw everything they have at them.
Tottenham 1-0 Everton
82. Rondon comes on for Gueye as The Toffees chase a goal.
Mykolenko is booked for a foul on Doherty.
Free kick to Spurs on the edge of the box in a wide position.
Credit: Reuters Tottenham 1-0 Everton
80. The game is starting to open more now both teams are looking to attack more.
We could see an end to end game in these final stages.
Garner whips a dangerous ball into the six yard box but Lloris comes out to claim.
Tottenham 1-0 Everton
78. Lampard need to pull something out of the bag here.
For the most part, his Everton side have offered little going forward.
They have not tested Tottenham as a defensive unit enough.
Tottenham 1-0 Everton
76. Tottenham look to pass the ball around.
Frustrating Everton as they chase shadows.
It is a good tactic as holes should open up in the Everton defensive lines as they look to win the ball back.
Tottenham 1-0 Everton
74. Stick or twist time for Tottenham.
Do they go for the jugular and look for a second goal.
Or do you look to protect the lead you have already got yourselves.
Credit: PA Tottenham 1-0 Everton
72. McNeil looks to swing a ball in from the left wing.
They have a target man in the box now in Calvert-Lewin.
This one is just too high for the forward.
Tottenham 1-0 Everton – Kane chance!
70. The ball is played into Kane to feet.
He turns and shoots forcing Pickford into another save.
This time he parries the ball clear of goal.
Tottenham 1-0 Everton
68. Slight switch in formation for The Toffees.
Iwobi comes over to the right.
The next goal is crucial, if Tottenham can double their lead it will surely be a bridge too far for Everton.
That would be the greatest comeback since Antonio Conte’s hair.
Tottenham 1-0 Everton
66. The visitors are trying to get forward a lot more now.
Neal Maupay comes off for Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Seamus Coleman comes off for James Garner.
Tottenham 1-0 Everton
64. Tottenham sing Southampton songs to celebrate the goal.
They need to assert their dominance now.
A long range effort from effort makes Hugo Lloris put his Sudoku down.
Credit: Reuters
Tottenham 1-0 Everton
62. This game is a completely difference challenge for Lampard’s side now, having to come from behind.
Everton have not been full of goals so far this season.
They need to find a way back into this game now.
Tottenham 1-0 Everton
60. Tottenham have broken the deadlock.
They have Jordan Pickford to thank for it.
Man pretends a football is a bar of soap.
That is the title of the England number one’s short film.
Goal – Harry Kane (Tottenham)
Penalty to Tottenham
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
