LONDON, Sept 14 (Reuters): Everton justified the pre-season optimism as Dominic Calvert-Lewin's header earned them an impressive 1-0 win at Tottenham Hotspur in their Premier League opener on Sunday -- the Merseyside club's first win over Spurs since 2012.
Carlo Ancelotti's side arrived buoyed by the midweek signings of Colombian playmaker James Rodriguez and French powerhouse midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure.
They both made outstanding debuts, as did fellow new Brazilian midfielder Allan, but it was Sheffield-born Calvert-Lewin who gave Everton a thoroughly deserved victory against an unimaginative Tottenham side.
After an even first half in which Richarlison wasted a great chance for Everton and keeper Jordan Pickford denied Tottenham's debutant Matt Doherty, Everton bossed the second period.
Once Calvert-Lewin sent an unstoppable header past Hugo Lloris in the 55th minute, meeting Lucas Digne's free kick to perfection, Tottenham huffed and puffed but offered little.
And while the season is still in its infancy and the transfer window remains open, Sunday's evidence shows Everton's prospects of challenging for a European place look brighter than Jose Mourinho's Tottenham.
It was the first time Mourinho had lost the opening match of a Premier League season.
Tottenham got an early scare when Ben Davies played a horribly stray pass across field and Richarlison gathered it and rounded Lloris, only to stumble and fire over an empty goal.
It at least provided a wake-up alarm for Tottenham who suddenly burst into life with Harry Kane just failing to get on the end of Son Heung-min's cross, Dele Alli having a shot tipped over by Pickford who then blocked Doherty's close-range effort after a brilliant lobbed pass by Kane.
Meanwhile, Jamie Vardy converted two penalties to help Leicester City get off to a winning start in the Premier League season with a 3-0 victory at promoted West Bromwich Albion on Sunday.
Vardy, the league's top scorer last season, and Dennis Praet both had drilled efforts well saved by West Brom goalkeeper Sam Johnstone in bright sunshine at the Hawthorns, with the hosts offering little in attack in the first half.
The visitors continued to dominate after the break and took the lead in the 56th minute through debutant Timothy Castagne -- a summer signing from Italian side Atalanta -- when the full back headed home a Praet cross.
Vardy was fouled by Kyle Bartley in the penalty area 17 minutes from time, and the striker stroked home the spot-kick to score for the fifth successive trip to West Brom as a Leicester player.
Leicester were able to give substitute James Maddison his first minutes since March after undergoing hip surgery, before Vardy made the win more comprehensive six minutes from time with another penalty. The visitors, looking to forget their poor end to last season that cost them a place in the Champions League, were much too sharp for West Brom on their Premier League return.
West Brom's return to the top flight does not get any easier, with a trip to Everton and a clash with Chelsea up next.
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