Tottenham ace Guglielmo Vicario crying out for help v Everton as MOTD shows footage
Micah Richards and Jermaine Jenas believe Guglielmo Vicario will have been crying out for help from his teammates as Everton benefitted from set-pieces in a 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur.
Everton clearly had a plan when it came to set-pieces against Tottenham as they equalised on two occasions in a dramatic draw at Goodison Park.
Whether it was Jack Harrison or James Tarkowski, the Toffees marked Tottenham shot-stopper Vicario from corners and stopped the Italian from commanding his area.
“They’ve got 13 goals from set-pieces this season,” Richards said live on BBC’s Match of the Day on Saturday (3 February, 54:58).
“Tarkowski was on the goalkeeper for the first couple; it was obviously a plan so he couldn’t come out and claim the ball. “It’s Harrison next. He can’t come and demand the box because he’s leaning on him.
“Someone go and help! [Pierre-Emile] Hoijbjerg and [Cristian] Romero are there – can they block the run and help Vicario? Can [Timo] Werner come in too? I’d be saying, come and help me out.
Jenas added: “That’s what it calls for, someone to be making those decisions. Sometimes the ‘keeper doesn’t want it but it was crying out for it.
Everton benefit from Spurs downfall
Sean Dyche and his team will have spotted a weakness with Vicario at set-pieces and, like any good football team, targeted that weakness to the best of their abilities.
It was inevitably the reason the Toffees were able to salvage a draw after two blows from former Blues striker Richarlison, with Harrison and Jarrad Branthwaite scoring from set-pieces.
The Spurs goalkeeper’s major fault has been showcased in recent weeks, with many teams picking up on the fact that he struggles to push beyond bodies and command his area.
However, it seems no other team have found a better way to capitalise on this than Everton. Dyche’s side probably could have scored more on the day, with the Toffees taking a total of nine corners against Spurs.
A point against Spurs could be a defining moment in Everton’s season. They are currently sitting in the relegation zone, one point behind fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest and Luton Town.
The team certainly have the ability to go on a winning streak, having proven so after a 10-point deduction was handed to the club. Dyche and his team are in desperate need of a win soon.
In other Everton news, the Toffees appeal lawyer was spotted at Goodison Park ahead of their clash with Tottenham.
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