Yes, I was tough on them. We made a lot of mistakes

defenders trailing in his wake. And it was Deulofeu who could have doubled Everton’s lead on the stroke of half-time.

He latched on to a lazy back pass from Danny Rose and was through on goal. Cue Vorm’s heroics as he blocked his close-range shot.

For that 60 minutes, there was every indication that under Koeman, Everton have added a touch of steel to the style- without- substance legacy of Roberto Martinez.

Everton had led after five minutes when a free-kick from Ross Barkley evaded everyone and curled past Lloris.

Victor Wanyama had conceded the foul that brought the goal for the first of several ill-judged challenges, all on the lively Kevin Mirallas. A referee less lenient than Atkinson might have shown a card to the Kenyan.

Everton’s new midfield man looked much more impressive. If Idrissa Gana Gueye turns in many more displays like this then the £7.5million it cost to bring him in from Aston Villa will seem like a bargain.

The recruitment had the fingerprints of accomplished new talent spotter from Leicester Steve Walsh all over it. Think N’Golo Kante – and Gueye is in the same mould.

But Pochettino is never afraid to act and he realised that a strangely sluggish Harry Kane needed an ally and on came £17m signing Vincent Janssen in the 55th minute.

“He brings energy to the game – and he could have had a goal,” said Pochettino.

Spurs certainly looked better for his presence. Phil Jagielka and Ramiro Funes Mori were smoking the proverbial cigar against the ineffective Kane before Janssen’s arrival.

Suddenly Spurs sprung to life. The foraging runs of Walker now had a purpose and target in the Everton penalty area.

“Janssen is the type of player who can bring problems,” added Pochettino and Everton indeed began to look shaky.

Come the 59th minute and Tottenham were level.

Alderweireld surged forward and found Walker down the right wing. Leighton Baines was left stranded and the cross was true and accurate.

Erik Lamela – somewhat anonymous until then – got goal side of young Mason Holgate to head past Maarten Stekelenburg.

“We played much better after that and their goalkeeper had to make two great saves to stop us,” said Pochettino. Indeed he did.

One, from close range, denied Janssen a debut goal and it was then the turn of Lamela to be frustrated by the Dutchman who cost a mere £750,000 from Fulham. Another Koeman bargain buy. “If we had taken that chance late in the first half, it would have been a different second half,” said Koeman.

“I am happy with the character we showed,” said Pochettino.

Two satisf ied managers on Merseyside after what was in truth the right result.