LONDON -- Midway through the first half, after yet another save from Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, the ball ricocheted into the away end and was hidden by a group of travelling supporters.
It was the best piece of defending the Merseysiders managed all night.
They were only 2-0 down at that point, but the dye was already cast on an utterly miserable and alarming performance in which the winning margin was ultimately determined by hosts Tottenham Hotspur idling in the absence of any sort of contest as minds began turning to Saturday's clash against Manchester United.