‘Flappy’ Guglielmo Vicario questioned as Tottenham ‘show why they can’t be considered Premier League title contenders’

Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario was criticised after Tottenham’s slim Premier League title hopes suffered a blow in a 2-2 draw at Everton.

Richarlison gave Spurs the lead after just four minutes, before Dominic Calvert-Lewin levelled the match thanks to a tactical number on the Italian goalkeeper.

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Vicario endured an afternoon to forget at Goodison ParkCredit: Rex

Sean Dyche tasked Jack Harrison with man-marking the shot-stopper, who could not parry a corner-kick to safety, allowing the Everton striker to score his first goal in 16 games.

While Richarlison was able to restore Tottenham’s lead before the break, Stuart Pearce wasn’t impressed with what he’d seen from Ange Postecoglou’s side and Vicario in particular.

Speaking at half-time with the score at 2-1, Pearce told talkSPORT: “Vicario has been flappy. And I think there will be more goals in this game.”

Pearce was correct in his assessment too, with Vicario’s goalkeeper again questioned as Jarrad Branthwaite secured a crucial point for Everton in injury time.

For Tottenham, it was a result that leaves them seven points behind league leaders Liverpool, having played a game more, leading Pearce to surmise: “I think that answers the question about Tottenham’s title credentials.”

But it was Vicario’s performance who was a big talking point among Spurs fans who believe that Sean Dyche did a number on him.

One fan wrote: “Vicario has been excellent this season but he’s definitely being targeted on set plays. Everyone’s going to be doing it now.”

Another wrote: “I love Vicario but he let us down today. Needs to improve this aspect of the game and it needs to happen fast.”

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Vicario struggled with the aerial dominance of Sean Dyche’s Everton sideCredit: AFP

“The players need to protect Vicario,” wrote a third. “We’re letting them pushing our keeper way too easily. It’s gonna be a huge problem if they keep doing this.”

Tottenham are next in action against Brighton in the Premier League next Saturday