David Moyes singles out Tottenham’s ‘best player’ in Everton clash and It surprises Everyone
Everton’s unbeaten home record came to an abrupt end on Sunday as Tottenham Hotspur cruised to a commanding 3-0 victory at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. The result saw the visitors leap back into the Premier League’s top four, while the Toffees were left ruing missed opportunities and a series of superb saves from Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, who was later hailed as the standout performer by Everton manager David Moyes.
Although Micky van de Ven stole the headlines with a well-taken brace, Moyes was quick to point out that it was Vicario’s brilliance between the posts that truly defined the game. Tottenham were clinical and composed throughout, with Thomas Frank’s side once again showcasing their formidable away form.
Tottenham dominate early on
Spurs opened the scoring midway through the first half when Van de Ven rose above the Everton defence to nod home from a corner — the first time the Toffees had conceded from a set-piece in the Premier League this season. The Dutch defender doubled the advantage moments before half-time, again capitalising on poor marking to head in his second of the afternoon, leaving Moyes’ men with a mountain to climb.
Despite Everton’s best efforts to rally after the break, Tottenham remained in complete control. The home side’s attacking play lacked penetration, while the visitors looked dangerous every time they ventured forward. Their dominance was sealed in the closing stages when Pape Matar Sarr added a third, sending the travelling fans into raptures.
Moyes praises Vicario as Spurs’ standout performer
Speaking after the match, David Moyes could not hide his admiration for Guglielmo Vicario’s performance, describing the Italian as Tottenham’s best player on the day.
“Their keeper was probably their best player,” Moyes told BBC Sport. “He dealt with corners incredibly well and made some crucial saves. We played some good stuff, but we just couldn’t get the goal we needed.”
Vicario was at his acrobatic best, producing a string of top-class saves to deny Everton on several occasions. Early in the match, he reacted sharply to block a close-range effort from Jack Grealish, before tipping over another dangerous shot moments later. His composure under pressure and command of the penalty area frustrated the home crowd, as every Everton attack seemed to end with Vicario’s gloves meeting the ball.
The clean sheet marked Vicario’s fourth of the Premier League season, solidifying his reputation as one of the league’s most reliable shot-stoppers. For Thomas Frank, it was further validation of his decision to keep faith in the Italian despite a recent error against Leeds.
Praise from both sides
Moyes was not the only one to acknowledge Vicario’s excellence. Everton captain James Tarkowski, who endured a challenging afternoon at the back, also lauded the goalkeeper’s performance when speaking to Sky Sports.
“They scored from two set pieces, which we always work on and take pride in, and that’s what’s won them the game,” Tarkowski said. “In the first half, we actually played really well and moved the ball nicely, but they went in 2-0 up even though they weren’t that dominant.
“We created some good chances in the second half, but their keeper made some incredible saves. Then we got caught late on, and suddenly it’s 3-0. It’s a tough one to take.”
Tottenham’s defensive organisation was also key to their success. Van de Ven and Rodrigo Bentancur were instrumental in both penalty areas, contributing to the goals while ensuring that Vicario’s clean sheet remained intact.
Vicario’s growing influence at Spurs
Since joining Tottenham, Vicario has become a pillar of consistency. His calm presence, sharp reflexes, and excellent distribution have made him indispensable to Thomas Frank’s system. While Van de Ven’s goals will draw the headlines, insiders at the club believe Vicario’s influence extends far beyond the scoreline — providing the foundation for Spurs’ push toward Champions League qualification.
With Tottenham now firmly back in the top four, Frank will be eager for his side to maintain their momentum. If Vicario continues performing at this level, Spurs’ European ambitions could soon become a reality.
In a match filled with strong performances, it was the Italian’s heroics that truly stood out — a reminder that sometimes, the difference between victory and defeat lies in a single pair of safe hands.