Yves Bissouma has been on his very best behaviour according to Ange Postecoglou ever since the indiscretion featuring a balloon full of nitrous oxide.
He has been uncharacteristically punctual, first into the team meetings, keen to prove a lesson has been learned about responsibility.
And, having been forced to sit out the first game of the Premier League campaign as a punishment, Bissouma held steady on the road to redemption by marking his return to the team with his first goal for Tottenham on his 57th appearance.
Lashed into the top corner from the edge of the penalty box, it was the first of a comfortable victory that gave lift off to Postecoglou’s second season.
‘We know he’s a good footballer, there’s no doubting his ability,’ said the Spurs boss afterwards. ‘He has ability to do something special. We want to make him the best version of himself. That starts off the field as much as on it.
Yves Bissouma scored his first Tottenham goal to put them on course for a win over Everton
Bissouma is seeking redemption after being suspended by Tottenham for their season opener
Son Heung-min was the main man for Tottenham, scoring twice in their 4-0 win over Everton
‘Discipline is a big thing for him and it was a disciplined performance. Not just the goal but he had an important job for us. He had to be there to mop up and intercept and he was clean for the most part in possession. It’s a good start. He’s still got work to do.’
Heung-min Son pounced on a mistake by Jordan Pickford for the second as Spurs assumed complete control and later claimed the fourth after Cristian Romero had marked his 100th appearance for the club with the third, headed in from a corner.
All of which left Everton looking rather feeble. They have leaked seven goals in their first two games without finding the net, have not won away from home in 2024 and the threat of points deductions still lingers in the background.
They were depleted and patched-up in North London and on the back foot from the outset. ‘Too subservient,’ was Sean Dyche’s description. Pickford made three excellent saves before he was beaten, blocking from Romero, flying to his right to keep out a deflected shot from Son and dashing from his line to smother another from James Maddison.
Brennan Johnson missed the target with a header he ought to have scored but Bissouma’s aim was true. Dejan Kulusevski jinked into the box from the right and teed-up the chance. Struck first time, it veered away from Pickford and hit the net.
Everton’s goalkeeper was at fault for the second, however, ruining his previous efforts. He was guilty of a poor touch as he shifted the ball across his body to kick with his left foot. Son pounced, tearing past with a searing burst of acceleration to steal the ball and roll it into an open goal.
Jordan Pickford was left to rue being caught in possession by Son for Tottenham’s second
The Everton goalkeeper’s mistake left his side with too much to do on a difficult afternoon
Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou commiserated with the England goalkeeper at full time
Pickford held up his hands in apology. It felt like a long way back from here although Tottenham are so loose, they always offer glimmers of hope. One decent chance to equalise at 1-0, was squandered by Jack Harrison slicing wide on the half volley at the back post.
And there was a spell of pressure before half time when Everton threatened from a series of set-pieces. Spurs were painfully vulnerable defending set pieces last season and have worked hard to improve but they are not a powerful team in the air, unlike the visitors.
Maddison was back in his own goalmouth to make one vital clearance denying Abdoulaye Doucoure in stoppage time at the end of the first half.
For a spell after the interval, Tottenham failed to generate the same intensity and Everton flickered after the introduction of Iliman Ndiaye and Jesper Lindstrom, who forced a splendid save from Guglielmo Vicario within seconds of coming on.
But it was brief. Postecoglou was quick to respond, sending on Pape Matar Sarr and Richarlison. Maddison went close to the third from free kick before Romero scored it, climbing above James Tarkowski from one of Maddison’s corners.
Son made it four, beating Pickford from a tight angle after an exhilarating run by Micky van de Ven, carving a path down the centre of the pitch before claiming an assist.
Destiny Udogie hobbled off sparking concerns until Postecoglou dismissed it as nothing more than fatigue and tight hamstrings.
Cristian Romero added to the scoreline in the second half as Everton’s woes increased
Son added Tottenham’s fourth after a storming run out of defence Micky van de Ven, left,
Roman Dixon had the opportunity to make his debut for Everton but it was a punishing match
Sean Dyche refused to accept accept are in another survival fight after another heavy defeat
The deeper managerial problems sit firmly with Dyche, already braced for another survival fight.
‘There’s no acceptance of anything,’ said the Everton boss. ‘There’s a reality to all the challenges in football but that’s not acceptance.
‘It’s tough to come here to Spurs and it’s tougher with a thin squad. I don’t like making excuses but that’s a fact. Does that mean they win? No, it doesn’t because it doesn’t always work that way, but you have to make it not work that way.’
As for the prospect of reinforcements in the transfer market before Friday’s deadline, Dyche said: ‘Until I’m told different there isn’t any finance to go and to go and change things. This is what we are.’
