Tottenham Hotspur and Everton played out to a 1-1 draw in their opening Premier League encounter at Goodison Park on Saturday.
Spurs handed new signing Victor Wanyama his debut for the club, while the Toffees were without the talisman Romelu Lukaku for their Premier League opener.
The hosts opened the scoring as early as the fifth minute when Ross Barkley’s free-kick sailed over the wall and into the far corner of the Spurs goal.
Despite Everton taking the lead in the early stages of the match, Spurs dominated the game in the opening 20 minutes of the first half but were unable to produce any clear-cut opportunities.
Spurs were dealt a major blow in the 35th minutes when French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris picked up an injury and ultimately being replaced by Michel Vorm.
Although the Toffees finished the first half strongly and came close to extending their lead just before the half-time interval, Vorm produced fine save to deny Gerard Deulofeu in a one on one situation to keep the score at 1-0 heading into the break.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side eventually found an equalising goal in the 59th minute as Erik Lamela beat his marker to head home a cross from Kyle Walker.
The visitors continued to dominate proceedings and nearly went ahead in the 80th minute but Everton goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg was on hand to deny Vincent Janssen from close range.
The London side pushed for a winning goal in the closing stages of the match, however, they were unable to break through the Everton defence and were forced to settle for a point.
Meanwhile, in the other Premier League fixtures of the day, Striker Salomon Rondon scored the only goal to give West Bromwich Albion a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
New Southampton signing Nathan Redmond scored on his Saints debut to earn his side a 1-1 draw with Watford at the St Mary’s Stadium after Etienne Capoue put Watford ahead in the ninth minutes, firing home from 12 yards out following a neat knockdown by captain Troy Deeney.
While, Xherdan Shaqiri’s dazzling second-half free kick rescued a point for Stoke City at newly promoted side Middlesbrough, who marked their return to the Premier League after seven years with a 1-1 draw at the Riverside Stadium.
Debutant Alvaro Negredo scored with his first chance in a Middlesbrough shirt as he rose above two Stoke defenders in the 11th minute to send Gaston Ramirez’s looping header beyond goalkeeper Shay Given following an Albert Adomah cross.
In the match between Swansea City and newly-promoted side Burnley, dutch midfielder Leroy Fer opened the scoring eight minutes from time to give Swansea a 1-0 victory Burnley at Turf Moor. looked to be heading for a goalless draw before Fer popped up in the 82nd minute, firing home a rebound after a Tom Heaton save.
The match looked to be heading for a goalless draw before Fer popped up in the 82nd minute to fire home on the rebound after a Tom Heaton save.
The Premier League will continue when Manchester City welcomes Sunderland at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Bournemouth will play Manchester United at the Vitality Stadium in their opening Premier League fixture on Sunday before Arsenal and Liverpool go head-to-head at the Emirates Stadium.
The matches kicks off at 14:30 and 17:00 respectively.
Image: Premier League
