Carlo's culture club at Everton
Tottenham 0-1 Everton
Paul Higham
After Everton slumped down the stretch with just one win in six and serious questions about their mentality raised, Carlo Ancelotti showed exactly why the Toffess hired him as all three of his summer signings made an immediate impact in their win at Tottenham.
And even in the very first game of the season, the significance of Everton winning away at a top six side for the first time in 40 attempts cannot be underestimated.
While Spurs were poor, they weren't allowed to be much better as James Rodriguez, Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure all impressed in dominating the middle of the park and looking a class above Tottenham technically.
We wondered whether Rodriguez in particular was brought in more for his 90 million-odd social media followers than his footballing skills, but from the very start he showed what a quality player he is - it's probably the most assured debut I've seen since Bruno Fernandes.
Much like Fernandes, Rodriguez displayed the quality first touch world class players always have, killing awkward balls instantly and making close control look easy - the first instinct was also almost always to look forward.
Cutting in off the right of a front three looks the ideal slot for him, and he showed a sign of things to come with both a whipped shot that whistled past the post and a deft chip into Richarlison that both oozed class and gave a glimpse of just how he'll be dangerous this season.
, who allowed Leicester to have 13 shots and with the majority of the attacks from the Foxes coming down their right hand side Rodriguez will be an interesting play in both the scoring and player shots markets.
.Interestingly from that game, Harvey Barnes ran riot down Leicester's left, with five shots (two on target) and regularly getting in down that channel - step forward Richarlison who should certainly be in your thinking in the shots and even scoring markets against the Baggies.
The Brazilian could have scored against Spurs, and should have set up a goal at the least. He had seven shots, nine touches in the Spurs box and 10 dribbles - in short he was a constant threat - if he sharpens up he could well open his scoring account at Goodison on Saturday, but should certainly be good for a few efforts on goal at the very least.
Looking long term, and although instant reactions can be dangerous and foolish in equal measure, it's interesting to still see Everton as shots in the when you consider not just the victory but the manner of it.
They're behind Leciester (5/2), who played well against lesser opposition, and Wolves (11/4), who haven't kicked a ball yet, in the betting but the Toffees will be at least as good as both of those sides on this evidence.
A cheeky one to finish, and it's a long old season but Jose Mourinho will already be under fire after that performance, and with a lack of signings and Europa League football to contend with this season, the may look a gift in the weeks and months to come.
