Everton lost their first home game of the season after a 3-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, with the visitors climbing back into the top four. But despite Micky van de Ven scoring twice for Thomas Frank’s side, Everton boss David Moyes named a Tottenham star who was better than him.
Tottenham ran out easy winners on Merseyside after Micky van de Ven rose highest to score from a corner for the opener, the first time Everton had conceded from a set-piece in the Premier League this season – and he did so again on the stroke of half-time to give Spurs breathing space.
Everton rarely threatened in the second half, leaving Pape Matar Sarr to nod home a goal of his own to send the away end jubilant.
But despite Thomas Frank’s side continuing their incredible away record, opposite number David Moyes hailed goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario as the Man of the Match for a string of superb saves.
David Moyes said Guglielmo Vicario was Tottenham’s Man of the Match
Moyes would have been watching on in bewilderment as Vicario continued to thwart his side. An early chance for Jack Grealish went begging after some fine work from the Italian, whilst a handful of smart reaction saves kept Tottenham’s clean sheet.
Vicario, who has been an ever present for Tottenham in the league this season, kept his fourth clean sheet of the season on Merseyside to keep Tottenham in the top four.
And it was his best performance yet that earned him rightful plaudits from Moyes, who named him as Spurs’ ‘best player’.
Moyes told BBC after the game: “Their keeper was probably their best player, and dealt with corners incredibly well.
“We played some good stuff, but could not get the goal we needed.”
It’s a glowing recommendation for the Italian, who has been at his best for the most part of this season.
Despite Vicario making an error against Leeds, that will give him his flowers among the away support. Thomas Frank wants to keep Vicario in the starting XI and it will allow him credit in the bank, despite Van de Ven likely taking the headlines.
James Tarkowski backed David Moyes’ thoughts by also praising Guglielmo Vicario
Moyes wasn’t the only Everton figure to praise the Italian goalkeeper.
James Tarkowski, who played the full ninety minutes as captain, would not have been able to believe some of the saves that Vicario pulled off.
Tottenham were effective from corners via Rodrigo Bentancur and Micky van de Ven at one end, but Vicario was equally strong at guarding his area at the same time.
And that led Tarkowski to claim that if it wasn’t for Vicario’s good work, Everton could’ve been in the lead at half-time.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Tarkowski said: “They scored from two set pieces, which we work hard and put a lot of focus on like all teams, it has won the game for them.
“First half we played really well, moved it well but they go in at 2-0 at half-time, it feels like they are on top when they really were not.
“Second half, I thought we made more good chances again, but their keeper made some good saves and we got punished late on when we were opened up. Ultimately, we lost 3-0, so it is a tough day.”
If Vicario can keep that form up throughout the season, it could lead to Tottenham qualifying for the Champions League, with Thomas Frank gunning for a top four finish.