James Tarkowski was speaking after Micky van de Ven scored twice as Tottenham Hotspur claimed a 3-0 Premier League victory over Everton on Sunday evening
James Tarkowski and Jack Grealish during Everton's defeat to Tottenham
James Tarkowski and Jack Grealish during Everton's defeat to Tottenham(Image: (Molly Darlington/Copa/Getty Images))
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James Tarkowski spoke of his disappointment after Everton conceded from two set-pieces against Tottenham Hotspur and believes his side 'need to find ways to score'. David Moyes’ side went from conceding no league goals from corners to two in the first-half as Spurs claimed a 3-0 victory at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday evening.
Despite dominating the opening stages of the game, the Blues fell behind when centre-back Van de Ven eventually headed home a well-worked corner routine after 19 minutes. The Dutchman then made no mistake from another set-piece in first-half stoppage time after finding himself unmarked between Everton’s two centre-backs.
Pape Matar Sarr then completed the scoring in the closing stages of the game, and Tarkowski believes his side must put a lot more focus on set-pieces.
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He 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. We made some decent chances, but we have not scored, which is very disappointing and conceded three, with two from corners.
“We need to look at it, they are the first set pieces we have conceded this year, so we need to get that right because that has won them the game.
"Even top international teams focus on set-pieces, it’s disappointing for us, and we need to put a lot more focus on it after today."
However, trailing 1-0, Everton thought they had drawn level when Jake O'Brien glanced a header past Guglielmo Vicario from a corner.
But following a VAR review, the goal was ruled out due to Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye interfering with play in offside positions.
David Moyes had no complaints about the decision after the game, and neither did Tarkowski.
"To me, if that was given against us, I would be disappointed. It’s a bit subjective, but from what I have seen, it was probably offside,” he said.
It was the second consecutive game in which the Blues have failed to score, while Moyes’ side have only managed to score nine times in nine Premier League games so far this season.
And Tarkowski admitted: "We need to start scoring goals, we need to start putting the ball in the back of the net.
"That might sound like I'm picking on forward players, but I'm definitely not, that's for the whole team including myself. We need to find ways to score. Tottenham's centre halves scored two against us.”
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