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

Micky van de Ven celebrating

The Dutch defender became the initial backline player to net two goals in a Premier League match for Spurs since Jan Vertonghen in spring 2013.

Match summary

  • The Spurs defender heads into the net twice in first half

  • Everton's defender has equalizer ruled after VAR review

  • Pape Matar Sarr nets final goal in 89th minute

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

Micky van de Ven scored twice as Spurs prolonged their unbeaten run on the road in the Premier League and delivered the Toffees their first defeat at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The Toffees were unbeaten in their five previous fixtures at their recently opened stadium at the dockside location, having departed their historic home behind after 133 years at the end of the previous campaign.

But Spurs captain the Dutchman pounced on two occasions from set-pieces in the first half to put their impressive record at jeopardy, and they were unable to mount a comeback before the midfielder - assisted by ex-Everton forward the Brazilian - nodded in a final goal to put the game to bed.

Jake O'Brien believed he had equalized the scores five minutes after Van de Ven's first goal, directing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an Everton corner.

The Portuguese striker, in the meantime, missed a number of chances, while the Italian goalkeeper made a succession of excellent stops to guarantee Tottenham went five away games unbeaten in the Premier League.

But the video assistant referee intervened, instructing Craig Pawson to check the goal on the screen and the referee decided that Jack Grealish and the attacker were in offside positions and had interfered with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

The win elevates Thomas Frank's side up to third in the Premier League, five points off north London rivals and table-toppers Arsenal.

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

Tottenham analysis: The defender excels in duties at each end of pitch

After a drab weekday display in the Champions League against Monaco, where they managed a mere two shots on goal, Frank chose the French striker in attack instead of former Toffees player the Brazilian.

The new arrival was failed to make much of an impact before being replaced for the substitute after an hour on the pitch, but it turns out he proved unnecessary in the final outcome.

Centre-back Van de Ven converted into an offensive threat to be feared.

Tottenham's first goal came from a well-worked corner routine, with Rodrigo Bentancur heading the ball back across the face of goal for an unmarked the defender to score.

And the captain - stepping up as captain in Cristian Romero's absence - notched his next goal in added time as he rose above Jordan Pickford to nod in.

The Dutchman was just as outstanding in defence, combining well with Kevin Danso as the pair handled excellently with the 34 crosses thrown their way by the opposition.

Everton analysis: Toffees missing striker's instinct

Everton's recent stadium had been a fortress, but it seems the novelty may have worn off slightly and fans headed to the gates after Sarr's third for Spurs.

The break in Everton's unbeaten home run will not be a major concern for David Moyes, but their striker situation will be.

Beto and the other striker - the Everton's pair of established centre-forwards - had netted only a single goal between them before the weekend's match.

And they were failed to add to that poor record on a damp and dreary evening on Merseyside.

The striker's form was summed up when he chose to bicycle-kick a clear chance from close range, despite having space and time to readjust for a more conventional shot that would have challenged Vicario.

The substitute, as well, was unable to make an impact after coming on for Beto in the second half.

It wasn't for a lack of opportunity. The majority of the home side's offensive moves came through the winger and Ndiaye, who relentlessly delivered threatening crosses into the Tottenham penalty area.

Upcoming fixtures for both teams?

Everton: The team travel to the Stadium of Light in the top flight on early November at 20:00 GMT.

Tottenham: The London club go to Newcastle's ground on late October for their fourth-round League Cup tie against Newcastle.

Lisa Johnston
Lisa Johnston

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