Antonio Conte’s decision to turn to Yves Bissmoua when Richarlison was forced off with an injury early in the second half against Everton was not exactly a ringing endorsement of Lucas Moura or Bryan Gil.
But the thinking behind sacrificing a forward for a defensive midfielder, at a time when Spurs were chasing an opening goal at an anxious Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, soon became clear.
After a ragged first half in which the hosts had struggled to create clear openings and an obstinate Everton side had sliced them apart twice on the break, only to spurn both chances, Bissouma’s presence at the base of midfield instantly gave more control.
The 26-year-old found a Spurs team-mate with every one of his 28 passes, finishing the game with a 100 per cent success rate and allowing the hosts to pin the visitors back, Everton unable to even muster a shot on goal in the second period.
There were important defensive interventions from him too, not least the headed interception, when Everton might previously have got through, which allowed Spurs to launch the attack which led to their second goal following Harry Kane’s penalty.