Everton’s unbeaten home run in the Premier League came to an end after a tough 3-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, as the visitors continued their impressive form and climbed back into the top four.
While much of the post-match attention centered on Micky van de Ven’s brace, Everton boss David Moyes had a different opinion about who truly stood out for Tottenham.
In his view, goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario was the best player on the pitch, delivering a commanding and composed performance that frustrated Everton all afternoon.
Tottenham took early control of the game and never really looked in danger. Their first goal came from a set-piece, with Van de Ven rising highest in the box to power a header past Jordan Pickford.
It was the first time Everton had conceded from a corner this season, a rare lapse in their usually strong defensive setup.
The Dutch defender then struck again just before half-time, heading home from another delivery to double Tottenham’s lead and silence Goodison Park.
Everton tried to push forward in the second half but struggled to break through a disciplined Spurs defense. As they pressed for a goal, they left spaces behind, which Tottenham exploited with precision.
Pape Matar Sarr added a third late in the game, nodding home after a slick move to seal all three points for Thomas Frank’s side. Yet, despite the scoreline and Van de Ven’s impressive display, it was Guglielmo Vicario who earned the highest praise from the opposition manager.
Speaking to the BBC after the match, David Moyes said: “Their keeper was probably their best player and dealt with corners incredibly well. We played some good stuff, but we could not get the goal we needed.”
His remarks highlighted just how important Vicario’s saves were in preventing Everton from gaining momentum. The Italian goalkeeper made a string of superb stops throughout the match, denying Jack Grealish early on and producing several sharp reaction saves to preserve Tottenham’s clean sheet.
Vicario has been a key figure for Spurs this season, featuring in every league game and now keeping his fourth clean sheet. His calmness under pressure, quick reflexes, and command of the penalty area have been instrumental in Tottenham’s strong start to the campaign.
Even after a slight error in the previous game against Leeds, his performance at Goodison Park reminded everyone of his quality. It was arguably his finest display since arriving at the club, proving that Thomas Frank’s faith in him is well justified.
Everton captain James Tarkowski also echoed Moyes’ thoughts, praising Vicario’s outstanding goalkeeping.
“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,” Tarkowski told Sky Sports. “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.”
Tarkowski’s comments reflected just how demoralizing Vicario’s presence was for Everton. Every time the hosts looked like finding a breakthrough, the Italian shot-stopper was there to shut the door.
His ability to read the game and react quickly kept Spurs in control, even during moments of Everton pressure.
To illustrate just how effective Vicario has been recently, his recent matches show a remarkable ability to prevent goals beyond expectation:
| Fixture | Goals Conceded | xG Prevented |
|---|---|---|
| Leeds United (2-1 W) | 1 | +0.66 |
| Aston Villa (1-2 L) | 2 | -1.03 |
| Everton (3-0 W) | 0 | +0.96 |
These numbers underline how crucial Vicario’s performances have been to Tottenham’s recent success. Against Everton, he not only made key saves but also handled crosses and corners with authority a skill often underrated in modern goalkeeping.
With this form, Vicario is quickly becoming one of Tottenham’s most important players. His consistency and leadership from the back give Spurs confidence, allowing defenders like Van de Ven and Cristian Romero to play with freedom.
As Thomas Frank continues to push for a top-four finish and a Champions League return, having a reliable presence like Vicario between the sticks could make all the difference.
While Micky van de Ven may have grabbed the headlines with his two goals, those watching closely including David Moyes and James Tarkowski recognized the true standout performer. In a game full of strong displays, Guglielmo Vicario proved that sometimes, it’s the quiet heroes at the back who make all the difference.
