Everton 2–1 Spurs

The same fixture last season saw Seamus Coleman make an impressive league debut as a substitute by inspiring Everton to recover from two goals down to draw 2-2.

This time the young Irishman ensured that the blues commenced their 2011 home record with all three points by capping off another barnstorming appearance with the winning goal.

Although he would probably admit himself that he isn’t the most technically gifted footballer his sheer tenacity, speed, and no-nonsense directness has made him a potent force marauding down the right-wing this season, and in turn a firm fan favourite.

It wasn’t just Coleman’s contribution that pleased; this was an commendable team performance from the blues against a much-lauded Spurs side, with best of the season stints from Louis Saha (finally breaking his duck for 10-11) and Johnny Heitinga, continued excellence at the back from Sylvain Distin and Leighton Baines, as well as a superb shift in the middle of the park from Marouane Fellaini.

We’ve had a number of false dawns looking for the turning point in what has otherwise been an immensely frustrating and disappointing season so far but hopefully, with the league still largely fragmented, we can start to put a run together from hereon.