The Colombia international equalled a feat last managed by Alexis Sanchez in 2014 as he tore the Tottenham defence apart
James Rodriguez’s creative genius came to the fore on Sunday as the new Everton signing gave Spurs a torrid afternoon in a sparkling debut.
The ex-Real Madrid and Bayern Munich star was reunited with former coach Carlo Ancelotti at Goodison Park after completing a £22 million ($29m) move at the start of September.
And despite having less than a week with his new team-mates prior to making his Premier League bow, James left Everton fans delighted with a brilliant display in the side’s 1-0 win in north London.
It was the side’s first Premier League win in the capital in their last nine attempts, with Everton’s last victory in London coming 18 months ago away to West Ham.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin sealed three points for Ancelotti’s charges with a fine header from Lucas Digne’s free-kick 55 minutes into the clash, while the Toffees also squandered a number of excellent chances to extend their advantage.
A large proportion of those came directly from the left boot of the Colombia international, who thrived on the right side of an attacking trident completed by Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison.
James created no less than five chances before being withdrawn in a late substitution, more than any other player on the pitch.
Indeed, not since Alexis Sanchez’s Arsenal bow in 2014 has a Premier League newcomer managed that figure in their debut.
