By Chris Kirwan
January 12 2003

Mishaps at the back cost the Blues dearly as they went down 4-3 at White Hart Lane. A depleted Everton side merited at least a point, but crucial errors from Stubbs and Yobo allowed Robbie Keane to take advantage for Tottenham. It was yet another game where the Blues will look back and wonder how they came away pointless. There were plenty of plus points for Moyes, but these will be scant consolation as the Blues reflect on their poor run of form. Moyes’ team showed plenty of spirit to overcome their dwindling numbers and twice come back from a goal deficit, and the performance of Brian McBride was superb for a man without first team action for 3 months.

McBride was excellent as a target for the Blues, and seemed to be on the same wavelength as his fellow North American Tomasz Radzinski who also had a good game. It was inevitable that McBride would run out of steam towards the end, but his sheer determination ensured that he remained a nuisance to the Spurs back line. McBride and Radzinski took their goals excellently, and Radzinski was a constant threat with his runs into the channels.

Li Tie also put in a good performance. He was as willing as ever to receive the ball, and was once again not afraid to put the foot in. I believe that Li Tie looks a far better player when he is not playing with Gravesen, and Tie and Gemmill certainly had the better of the midfield battle. Li Tie faces a stiff battle to win over a section of Evertonains who seem to bemoan the fact that he has played a part in introducing Everton to a new support base, but I firmly believe that he adds to the Everton squad. If he can cut out the occasional overconfidence in front of the back four then I see no reason why he shouldn’t be a success. It would be a shame if the palaver about how he became an Everton player got in the way of him succeeding at the club.

But the best player in a Blue shirt was Steve Watson, who surely is now pencilled in as the best option down the right flank. Watson was a constant threat to the left side of the Spurs defence, and thoroughly deserved his goal. He worked hard, and negated the threat of Simon Davies. It seems that Watson is extremely suited to the position of right midfield; too often when playing right back his defensive lapses cost the Blues, and he was occasionally too attack-minded.

Despite all of these good performances the Blues have nothing to show for their trip to London. Robbie Keane may have played well, but if you present him with chances as Yobo and Stubbs did, you’re doing half the work for him. The Blues seemed to lack cohesion at the back, a problem that seemed to be compounded by Stubbs’ bloodied nose courtesy of an accidental blow to the face by Poyet. And the late withdrawal of Richard Wright hindered the Blues further. You can’t afford to gift sides like Tottenham chances, they were a side low on confidence and we had a great opportunity to worsen their plight.

Moyes can’t hide the fact that the Blues are in a slump; thank goodness that Saturday sees the visit of Sunderland, a side unlikely to present too many problems for the defence. The Blues desperately need a win, and hopefully Saturday will bring 3 points.