Set pieces proved to be Everton’s undoing as Tottenham Hotspur secure all three points
Tottenham Hotspur’s 3-0 triumph over Everton was more than just another away win but a rather tactical statement as we re-discovered our winning habit. Thomas Frank’s side didn’t just dominate the Toffees; they did it by excelling in a department long associated with their fiercest rivals, Arsenal: set-piece precision.
Two first-half headers from Micky van de Ven and a late goal from Pape Matar Sarr sealed the victory, with all three goals coming from corner routines straight off the training ground. It’s no secret that Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have made set-plays a cornerstone of their success, but on this occasion, Spurs showed they could match, and arguably surpass, that level of discipline and execution.
Everton, who had not conceded from a corner all season, were completely undone by Tottenham’s aerial sharpness. Frank’s attention to detail was evident, runs were timed perfectly, delivery was accurate, and movement created chaos inside the box. If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then Tottenham have paid their rivals the ultimate compliment, and turned it into a weapon of their own.
Moyes Admits Everton Were Outmuscled
Everton boss David Moyes didn’t hide his frustration after seeing his side concede from dead-ball situations, a rarity for his usually robust team. The Merseyside club even thought they had found a way back when Jake O’Brien nodded home from a set piece, but VAR intervened, ruling that Iliman Ndiaye and Jack Grealish had obstructed goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario from an offside position. Moyes admitted the same in his post-match via Youtube.
Still, the Scot’s real disappointment came from Tottenham’s efficiency from corners, an area where Everton usually thrive.
“We have been undone by set-pieces, we are not happy about it but the other parts of the game there were lots of good things. The players will always take responsibility and I will. We have been very good at set-pieces in the main, but Thomas’ teams have always been good. They got their head on them and we didn’t.”
For Moyes, it was a bitter pill to swallow: his side’s first concession from corners all campaign came in one night, and from a Tottenham team looking increasingly dangerous from every dead ball.
Frank’s Blueprint Brings Balance and Bite
Thomas Frank’s Tottenham are starting to look like a team that can blend style with substance. While Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs were thrilling in possession, Frank has added structure, resilience, and tactical pragmatism, the kind that wins big games and sustains title pushes.
Set pieces proved to be Everton's undoing as Tottenham Hotspur secure all three points.
Is Thomas Frank taking one from Mikel Arteta’s playbook?
The North Londoners’ ability to score from set pieces shows a new dimension: controlled aggression. With Van de Ven, Cristian Romero, and Destiny Udogie all aerial threats, Spurs are no longer relying solely on creative build-up play, they can grind teams down the way Arteta’s Arsenal often do. The difference? Tottenham are finding a way to do it with their own identity intact.
For years, Tottenham fans have watched Arsenal turn dead balls into decisive moments, often grudgingly admiring their ruthlessness. But what Frank’s Spurs displayed against Everton suggests the tide might be turning. This team isn’t just learning from their rivals, dare we say they’re improving upon the formula.
It’s a sign of maturity and tactical evolution that Spurs can now win through grit as much as flair. If this continues, the North London derby next month won’t just be about bragging rights, it could be a battle between two sides who’ve mastered the fine art of winning ugly. And this time, Tottenham might just hold the upper hand.