Everton vs Tottenham: FA Cup represents real and rare chance of breaking long silverware droughts
One of these two clubs will take a step closer to a much-needed trophy tonight when they meet in the FA Cup fifth round at Goodison Park
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.There are clubs that can afford to dismiss the FA Cup and others that dream of winning it. Everton and Tottenham Hotspur, who meet at Goodison Park tonight in the fifth round, fall into the latter category. For the participants of the inferiority-complex derby, winning any silverware would be a step forwards.
These two teams were part of the ‘Big Five’ of the 1980s – along with Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United – and this quintet drove the creation of the Premier League. The new age was not kind to either club. Everton claimed their last trophy 26 years ago, beating Spurs in the semi-final on their way to winning the FA Cup. Tottenham had more recent success, taking home the League Cup in 2008 but ‘Spursy’ has become a term to describe horrible collapses and mental lapses. The discomfort at Goodison and White Hart Lane has been amplified by the exploits of their neighbours. Liverpool and Arsenal have largely dominated the respective rivalries.
It is remarkable that both clubs have Champions League-winning managers. Carlo Ancelotti has won Europe’s most prestigious trophy three times and Jose Mourinho has done it twice. These are the sort of top-table managerial talents that Everton and Tottenham craved, though the high water mark of their careers was some time ago. They have the pedigree to match the self-image of the clubs.
Ancelotti recognises the importance of the FA Cup and spoke about it this week. “I know how Evertonians are desperate to win trophies,” he said. “We are working on this. What I can assure you is that we are doing everything to have a trophy here as soon as possible.”
The first step in changing the mentality of a moribund club is to bring in a sprinkling of high-quality players to help galvanise the dressing room. The arrival of James Rodriguez and Allan – whose absence through injury has contributed to the team’s inconsistency – has done that. The next great leap forward comes from collecting silverware. It is trite to say that the first trophy is the hardest to win but the injection of belief and the knowledge that you have won before changes the mindset of a side. Ancelotti sees the FA Cup as a potential launchpad.
Tottenham are a good illustration of this. When Mauricio Pochettino’s young squad began to develop six years ago the possibilities seemed boundless. The top four suddenly appeared to be a minimum requirement.
Yet Spurs failed to get over the hump. A realistic title challenge never materialised. They came within touching distance of glory in domestic cups for three consecutive seasons, failing at the semi-final stage twice in the FA Cup and in the EFL Cup. In the fourth year they reached the Champions League final. Once again they came up short, losing 2-0 to Liverpool after a surprisingly meek performance in Madrid. The closer Tottenham got to the big prize, the more callow they became.
Mourinho was brought in to change this. The EFL Cup final against Manchester City gives the Portuguese a first chance to shift perceptions but the Europa League and FA Cup also offer opportunities if Pep Guardiola’s team prove too strong at Wembley. Unlike Ancelotti, Mourinho inherited some genuine class and Harry Kane is an authentic superstar. The Spurs captain is 27, though, and unless the team start to convert potential into medals he is bound to look elsewhere. Tottenham’s window for winning with a Kane-led team is closing and Mourinho knows it. A cup of any sort would buy time, even if the top four disappears into the distance, which it might because Spurs play away to City and West Ham United in their next two league games.
Every club in the competition wants to win the FA Cup. Everton need it. The trophy would provide a platform for Ancelotti to build upon and give a further injection of energy into a fanbase that has been beaten down by their proximity to Anfield’s trophy room.
Spurs supporters can take some solace in Arsenal’s relative decline until they remember that their neighbours are the FA Cup holders. Even in a downbeat decade for the Gunners, they have won the competition four times. It is hard to claim to be north London’s dominant side without the medals to back it up.
A trophy is the best remedy for inferiority. Everton or Tottenham will take a step towards that cure tonight at Goodison.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments