Everton boss Rafa Benitez explained playing Mason Holgate in midfield for their 0-0 draw with Tottenham.

Holgate, a centre-back by trade, replaced Allan after 82 minutes and was preferred ahead of midfielder Jean-Philippe Gbamin, who was also among the substitutes.

But Holgate, who has played in the position before for Everton, would not remain on the pitch to hear the final whistle after being shown a red card following a reckless challenge on Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in time added on.

Benitez then took off Demarai Gray in order to introduce Gbamin for the final few minutes.

"We have issues today with the midfielders because (Fabian) Delph has been great in the last game and this one.

"But he was 10 weeks without playing and has a yellow card so we have to make a substitution and Allan has had flu and he was running a lot so we had to make a substitution," said the Everton boss.

"I thought, with Mason, he has played in this position in the past, he is good in the air and can pass the ball, but the tempo was very high so maybe that is why he was late to some of the balls."