Maitland-Niles Makes Immediate Everton Impact in Tottenham Shutout

LONDON — Ainsley Maitland-Niles completed 75 minutes at right-back in his first start for Everton as the club drew 0-0 with Tottenham Hotspur at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday. The deadline-day signing recorded four ball recoveries, three duels won, two clearances and an 86 percent passing completion rate before defender Jake O’Brien replaced him late in the second half.

Everton now have six points from their opening four Premier League fixtures, including back-to-back draws against Manchester United and Tottenham. The latest clean sheet came as manager David Moyes reshaped his defensive rotation after late activity in the summer transfer window.

Maitland-Niles arrived from French club Lyon on transfer deadline day for a reported £3 million fee. The 29-year-old had already made his club debut the previous weekend, coming off the bench to score a late equalizing goal against Manchester United.

Moyes praised the work of central defenders James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite, as well as left-back Vitaliy Mykolenko, after the disciplined display in North London. He also singled out the new right-back.

“Ainsley Maitland-Niles needs a mention as well,” Moyes told Sky Sports. “Really pleased with the fact that he has come in and done really well for us.”

Tarkowski joined Everton on a free transfer from Burnley in July 2022 and partnered with 22-year-old England international Branthwaite in central defense against Roberto De Zerbi’s side. Mykolenko, a Ukrainian international, made his 80th appearance for the club, while O’Brien, a summer acquisition from Lyon, made his third appearance of the season from the bench.

An alumnus of Arsenal’s youth academy, Maitland-Niles made his senior debut for Arsenal in 2014 and recorded more than 130 first-team appearances for the Gunners. He earned five senior caps for the England national team in 2020 and spent time on loan with Ipswich Town, West Bromwich Albion, Southampton and Italian side Roma.

His spell at Roma ended with the UEFA Europa Conference League title in 2022. Maitland-Niles moved to Lyon on a free transfer in August 2023 before returning to English football with Everton last month.

Moyes previously managed Everton from 2002 to 2013 before returning for his current spell. He has overseen an undefeated four-game opening stretch despite limited net summer spending, following a campaign in which late-season league results cost Everton a position in European competition.

Everton host Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday evening in the third round of the Carabao Cup at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. The squad then returns to Premier League action on Saturday afternoon for a home fixture against newly-promoted Ipswich Town.