Defender in striker's boots: Van de Ven and Sarr put Spurs in peculiar top-four group

Far from it that Tottenham lacks players who can score and turn a game in the London team’s favor — quite the opposite. Still, there are situations when the team, both in defense and attack, relies heavily on its backline. Micky van de Ven was the scorer twice in Tottenham’s match against Everton, and thanks to that, Tottenham climbed to third place in the Premier League table, just behind Bournemouth and a bit further from league leaders Arsenal. As the icing on the cake, Sarr scored at the end of the match, sealing Tottenham’s significant and convincing triumph over Everton.

Everton started strongly, and in the 3rd minute, Jack Grealish had a golden opportunity, volleying beautifully toward goal, only for a Tottenham defender to block his strike at the last moment. The hosts showed early intent, but Spurs gradually began to impose themselves.

Tottenham opened the scoring in the 19th minute from a well-worked set piece. Mohammed Kudus delivered a corner to the back post, Rodrigo Bentancur nodded it back across the box, and Micky van de Ven rose to head it home, giving the visitors a 1–0 lead. The goal is HERE!

Everton tried to respond. In the 24th minute, James Garner followed up a pass on the edge of the box and fired toward the bottom right corner, but Guglielmo Vicario was alert and made the save. Shortly after, Everton thought they had equalized through Jake O’Brien, who headed in a corner from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, but VAR intervened. Both Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye were offside in the buildup, and the goal was correctly disallowed, much to the frustration of the home fans.

Everton continued to create chances, with Randal Kolo Muani finding Bentancur at the edge of the box in the 36th minute, who took a first-time volley just over the bar — a close call that could have changed the momentum.

But Tottenham kept their composure and doubled their lead right before halftime. In 45+6 minutes, Pedro Porro swung in a corner over Jordan Pickford, and Micky van de Ven once again rose highest to nod the ball home, sealing a 2–0 lead for Spurs at the break. The goal is HERE!

The second half of the Everton vs. Tottenham match was marked by Tottenham’s control and Everton’s persistent attacking efforts, though the visitors remained in command throughout. Early after the break, Iliman Ndiaye had a stylish chance with a heel flick that went just wide of Vicario’s goal. Shortly after, Beto attempted a spectacular scissor-kick finish, but Vicario produced an outstanding reflex save to keep Spurs in front.

Tottenham continued to pose a threat, and Richarlison nearly sealed the game after exploiting a defensive error, only for Pickford to deny him one-on-one. Everton pressed on, with Ndiaye firing a first-time shot from Jack Grealish’s clever pass, yet once again Vicario was alert to preserve Tottenham’s lead.

As the match drew to a close, Sarr finally put the result beyond doubt, heading home from Richarlison’s assist to make it 3–0. The goal is HERE!

PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 9

Friday

Leeds - West Ham 2-1 (1-0)

/Aaronson 13, Rondon 15 - Fernandes 90/

Saturday

Chelsea - Sunderland 1-2 (1-1)

/Garnacho 4 - Isidor 22, Talbi 90+3/

Newcastle - Fulham 2-1 (1-0)

/Murphy 18, Guimaraes 90 - Lukic 56/

Manchester Utd. - Brighton 4-2 (2-0)

/Cunha 24, Casemiro 34, Mbeumo 61, 90+6 - Welbeck 74, Kostoulas 90+2/

Brentford - Liverpool 3-2 (2-1)

/Ouattara 5, Schade 45, Thiago 60 pen - Kerkez 45+5, Salah 89/

Sunday

Arsenal - Crystal Palace 1-0 (1-0)

/Eze 39/

Aston Villa - Manchester City 1-0 (1-0)

/Cash 19/

Bournemouth - Nottingham Forest 2-0 (2-0)

/Tavernier 25, Kroupi 40/

Wolverhampton - Burnley 2-3 (2-2)

/Larsen 42 pen, Munetsi 45+4 - Flemming 14, 30, Foster 90+5/

Everton - Tottenham 0-3 (0-2)

/Van de Ven 19, 45+6, Sarr 89/