Van de Ven Brace Halts Everton's Unbeaten Streak at New Stadium

Micky van de Ven celebrating

Micky van de Ven emerged as the first backline player to net twice in a Premier League game for Tottenham since Jan Vertonghen in spring 2013.

Match summary

  • Micky Van de Ven nods home two times in opening period

  • Everton's defender has goal ruled after VAR review

  • Senegalese midfielder scores third in 89th minute

  • This loss is the Merseyside club's initial at their new ground

Micky van de Ven found the net on two occasions as Spurs prolonged their unbeaten run in away games in the top division and handed Everton their first defeat at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The Toffees were unbeaten in their last five matches at their recently opened stadium at the dockside location, having left Goodison Park behind after more than a century at the end of last season.

But Spurs captain Van de Ven pounced on two occasions from corners in the opening 45 minutes to put their strong form at jeopardy, and they were failed to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by ex-Everton forward Richarlison - nodded in a third to put the game to bed.

The Everton defender believed he had levelled the tally a short while after the defender's first goal, directing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an Everton corner.

Beto, meanwhile, missed a number of opportunities, while Vicario made a series of excellent saves to ensure the London club went five away games unbeaten in the Premier League.

But the VAR intervened, advising Craig Pawson to check the goal on the pitchside monitor and the official ruled that Jack Grealish and the attacker were in offside positions and had interfered with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

The win elevates Thomas Frank's team into third place in the division, a handful of points off north London rivals and leaders the Gunners.

Everton remain 14th and are half a dozen points ahead of the drop zone.

Tottenham analysis: Van de Ven fulfils role at each end of pitch

Following a uninspiring midweek display in the European competition against Monaco, where they mustered a mere two shots on goal, the manager opted for the French striker in attack instead of ex-Everton forward the Brazilian.

The summer signing was failed to influence the game before being replaced for Richarlison after an hour on the pitch, but it turns out he proved unnecessary in the end.

Defender the Dutchman transformed into an offensive threat to be feared.

Spurs' first goal came from a cleverly executed set-piece play, with Rodrigo Bentancur heading the ball toward the face of goal for an unmarked the defender to head home.

And Ven de Ven - filling in as skipper in Cristian Romero's unavailability - added his second in added time as he outjumped the England keeper to head home.

Van de Ven was equally impressive in defensive duties, combining well with Kevin Danso as the pair handled superbly with the 34 crosses thrown their way by the opposition.

Toffees breakdown: Toffees lacking finishing touch

Everton's recent stadium had been a happy hunting ground, but it seems the freshness may have worn off somewhat and fans flocked to the exits after the midfielder's third for Spurs.

The end in the team's unbeaten home run won't be a major worry for David Moyes, but their attacking woes will be.

Beto and Thierno Barry - the Toffees' two established centre-forwards - had netted only one league goal between them before the weekend's outing.

And they were failed to add to that miserable tally on a wet and gloomy evening on in Liverpool.

The striker's performance was summed up when he opted to overhead kick a golden opportunity from near the goal, even with having space and opportunity to reposition for a more conventional attempt that would have tested the keeper.

The substitute, as well, was unable to influence the game after replacing Beto in the second half.

It wasn't for a lack of opportunity. Most of Everton's attacks came through Grealish and the forward, who relentlessly whipped threatening crosses into the Tottenham box.

Upcoming fixtures for these two sides?

Everton: The team travel to Sunderland in the top flight on early November at 8 PM.

Tottenham: The London club travel to St James' Park on Wednesday, 29 October for their next round Carabao Cup match against Newcastle.

Lisa Maxwell
Lisa Maxwell

A tech enthusiast and digital strategist with over a decade of experience in analyzing emerging technologies and their impact on society.