Premier League wrap: Jake O'Brien starts as Everton beat Tottenham, high-flying Nottingham Forest hold off Southampton

Jake O'Brien made his first Premier League start as he helped Everton beat Ange Postecoglou's beleaguered Tottenham Hotspur side 3-2 at Goodison Park to boost the Toffees' survival hopes.

The Republic of Ireland defender has been restricted to a bit-part role since signing from Lyon last summer but was named at right-back by manager David Moyes, with Boys in Green and Everton captain Seamus Coleman still unavailable through injury.

Needing to get back to winning ways after a recent poor run of form, Everton took the game to their struggling opponents, racing into a two-goal lead inside 30 minutes through Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Iliman Ndiaye.

Things went from bad to worse for Spurs in first-half stoppage time as young Archie Gray put through his own net to ensure Everton scored as many goals within one half of football as in their previous seven games in all competitions.

Goals from Dejan Kulusevski and Richarlison caused the home fans some concern late on but the hosts survived to record a win that moved 16th-placed Everton four points clear of the bottom three and within four of sorry Spurs who are one place higher.

On paper, this encounter looked like the perfect platform for Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham side to start to turn around their faltering season, which remarkably sees them looking over their shoulders at the drop zone rather than up the table.

Spurs had lost one of their previous 24 games at Goodison Park prior to Sunday's trip north, while they have won more points from Everton than against any other Premier League team.

Everton have only just sacked their manager Sean Dyche as they again find themselves battling relegation, failing to even score in nine of their previous 11 league matches.

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