Tottenham Hotspur fall to new-look Everton in Premier League opener

Tottenham began their 2020-21 Premier League campaign by slumping to a 1-0 defeat against Everton at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday.

The result gives Jose Mourinho's men a disappointing start to the new season, while Carlo Ancelotti's side will be buoyed by the impressive result after a number of new signings in the offseason. 

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The match was goalless at half-time, with Everton, spurred on by new star James Rodriguez, especially unlucky to find a breakthrough in the first 45 minutes. 

But it didn't take long for the visitors to grab a deserved lead after the break. From a set piece near the left touchline, forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin rose to meet Lucas Digne's cross and fired home a thumping header from the middle of the box to put the Toffees up 1-0 in the 55th minute. 

The goal was his 20th league strike since the start of 2018-19, which is second most among English players 23 years or younger, trailing only Marcus Rashford's 27.

The assist, meanwhile, marked left-back Digne's 12th since 2018-19, which put him behind only Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold (25) and Andrew Robertson (24) for most by a defender in that span.

Mourinho responded by sending out Steven Bergwijn and Tanguy Ndombele. But the hosts couldn't find an equaliser and must wait at least another week for their first league win.

It was the first time Mourinho had lost the opening match of a Premier League season.

"You look at the quality that's come in, it's an instant uplift," Calvert-Lewin said. "As a centre forward you look at the creativity -- they've played at the top level. There should be chances this season and I need to be there."

Tottenham got an early scare when Ben Davies played a horribly stray pass across field and Richarlison gathered it and rounded Lloris, only to stumble and fire over an empty goal.

It at least provided a wake-up alarm for Tottenham who suddenly burst into life with Harry Kane just failing to get on the end of Son Heung-min's cross, Dele Alli having a shot tipped over by Pickford who then blocked Doherty's close-range effort after a brilliant lobbed pass by Kane.

Rodriguez, signed from Real Madrid this week and looking to rediscover the heights that made him one of the world's most sought-after players after the 2014 World Cup, offered a performance that augurs well for the season.

He was at the heart of much of Everton's best moves and almost bagged a goal when curling just wide before halftime.

He also set up Richarlison after the break but again the Brazilian fluffed his finish.

Tottenham will play a Europa League qualifying match midweek before visiting Southampton in Premier League play on Sunday. And Everton will host West Ham on Sunday, three days after an EFL Cup second-round match at Salford City.

Information from Reuters was used in this report.