Everton 0-3 Tottenham Hotspur
By James Nalton 
at Bramley-Moore Dock

THE LEAGUE of set-pieces continued on Sunday when Tottenham Hotspur’s attacking corner routines were the difference between themselves and Everton on Merseyside.

Micky Van de Ven capitalised twice from Everton’s inability to deal with dangerous dead-ball crosses, one from each side from Mohammed Kudus (via Rodrigo Bentancur) and Pedro Porro, but the routines were well-rehearsed and well-executed.

Only Arsenal have more goals from corners than Tottenham in the last two seasons, and Thomas Frank’s side added two more from such situations in the three-goal win.

Everton had their own chances but endured familiar problems in attack. They lack a reliable centre-forward, although on occasions they were merely unlucky that Spurs goalie Guglielmo Vicario was in top form.

Ilimian Ndiaye was as bright and as lively as ever for Everton. One of his crosses missed Beto by inches after Van de Ven got a slight touch. Another was met by a bicycle kick from the big Everton striker, but the effort was saved brilliantly by Vicario from close range.

The north London set-piece game looks to be defining the league this season, but underneath all of that, teams do have to play some football to get into these situations in the first place.

Spurs use the ball-carrying ability of players like Kudus to drive them forward. The Ghanaian has been effective when used out wide this season, but did most of his work through the middle here.

Former Everton favourite Richarlison was applauded by the home crowd as he came on for Randal Kolo Muani in the second half. He had a chance to score shortly after, which might not have been appreciated so much, but Jordan Pickford came out to save well.

Vicario showed great reactions once again to tip a deflected Ndiaye shot around the post and maintain Spurs’ clean sheet. The otherwise impressive Everton substitute Merlin Rohl should have spoiled the shutout, but headed over the bar.

Spurs added a third for good measure when Pape Sarr headed Richarlison’s cross following a good ball from Porro.

The win moved them into third, five points behind north London rivals Arsenal.

Though Tottenham weren’t expected to be a team battling it out with the title challengers this season, and Thomas Frank gave an assertive “no” when asked if they could win the league, they have the points on the board and the set-piece threats to try to play Arsenal at their own game, so why not give it a go?