Tottenham returned to the top four of the Premier League but were fortunate to see Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s goal disallowed as they edged to a 2-1 win over Everton.
With Manchester City busy winning the Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia, Spurs grabbed their opportunity to move above the newly-crowned world champions and end Everton’s hopes of winning a fifth successive away game in the top flight.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin thought he had finally ended an eight-game scoring drought when he drilled a finish past Guglielmo Vicario in the second half, only for the officials to disallow the strike following a VAR review for a foul on Emerson Royal that Soccer Saturday’s Mike Dean called “very, very soft”.
Andre Gomes was able to provide Everton with some late hope thanks to a powerful finish as the ball dropped his way from a set-piece and Arnaut Danjuma came within inches of salvaging a point when his shot rebounded off the bar and off the line via Vicario’s knee deep into stoppage time.
