Micky van de Ven Brace Halts The Toffees' Run at New Home Ground

Micky van de Ven celebrating

The Dutch defender became the initial defender to score two goals in a English top-flight match for Tottenham since the Belgian defender in March 2013.

At a glance

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

  • The home side's defender has goal disallowed after VAR review

  • Pape Matar Sarr scores third in dying moments

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

The Tottenham defender scored on two occasions as Spurs prolonged their unbeaten run on the road in the top division and delivered Everton their first defeat at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton were undefeated in their five previous fixtures at their new ground at Bramley-Moore Dock, having left Goodison Park behind after 133 years at the conclusion of the previous campaign.

But Tottenham's leader Van de Ven pounced on two occasions from set-pieces in the opening 45 minutes to place their impressive record at jeopardy, and they were failed to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - assisted by ex-Everton forward the Brazilian - headed home a third to seal the victory.

Jake O'Brien thought he had equalized the scores a short while after Van de Ven's first goal, directing a bullet header past the Spurs keeper from an Everton corner.

The Portuguese striker, meanwhile, failed to convert a handful of chances, while the Italian goalkeeper made a succession of fine stops to guarantee the London club went five matches on the road unbeaten in the Premier League.

But the video assistant referee stepped in, instructing the match official to check the score on the pitchside monitor and the official decided that the winger and the attacker were in offside positions and had impeded with the Spurs keeper.

The win elevates the manager's team up to third in the Premier League, five points off local foes and table-toppers Arsenal.

Everton stay in 14th position and sit half a dozen points ahead of the relegation zone.

Spurs breakdown: Van de Ven excels in duties at each end of the field

After a uninspiring midweek performance in the European competition against the French side, where they managed a mere attempts on goal, the manager opted for Randal Kolo Muani up front instead of ex-Everton forward Richarlison.

The summer signing was failed to make much of an impact before being substituted for the substitute after an hour on the field, but it emerged he wasn't needed in the end.

Defender Van de Ven converted into an attacking force to be feared.

Spurs' opening strike came from a well-worked set-piece play, with the midfielder directing the ball toward the face of goal for an unmarked the defender to head home.

And Ven de Ven - stepping up as captain in Cristian Romero's absence - notched his next goal in added time as he outjumped the England keeper to head home.

Van de Ven was equally outstanding in defence, partnering effectively with Kevin Danso as the duo dealt excellently with the 34 crosses sent their way by Everton.

Everton analysis: Toffees lacking striker's instinct

Everton's recent stadium had been a happy hunting ground, but it seems the freshness may have faded slightly and supporters flocked to the exits after the midfielder's final goal for Tottenham.

The end in the team's unbeaten home run will not be a massive concern for David Moyes, but their striker situation will be.

Beto and the other striker - the Toffees' two established centre-forwards - had scored just one league goal between them before the weekend's match.

And they were failed to contribute to that miserable tally on a damp and dreary night on Merseyside.

Beto's performance was epitomized when he chose to overhead kick a clear chance from near the goal, even with having space and time to readjust for a simpler attempt that would have tested Vicario.

The substitute, as well, failed to make an impact after replacing the starter in the 65th minute.

It wasn't for a shortage of chance. Most of Everton's offensive moves came through Grealish and the forward, who relentlessly delivered threatening crosses into the Tottenham penalty area.

Upcoming fixtures for both teams?

The Toffees: The team head to the Stadium of Light in the top flight on Monday, 3 November at 20:00 GMT.

Tottenham: Spurs go to St James' Park on late October for their next round League Cup tie against the Magpies.

Sean Vaughan
Sean Vaughan

A tech strategist with over a decade of experience in digital transformation and business innovation, passionate about sharing actionable insights.