Micky van de Ven Brace Ends The Toffees' Unbeaten Streak at Brand New Stadium

Micky van de Ven celebrating

The Dutch defender emerged as the first backline player to score two goals in a Premier League match for Tottenham since the Belgian defender in spring 2013.

Key points

  • The Spurs defender heads into the net two times in opening period

  • Everton's Jake O'Brien has goal disallowed after video check

  • Senegalese midfielder nets final goal in dying moments

  • The defeat is the Merseyside club's first at their new ground

Micky van de Ven scored on two occasions as Spurs prolonged their unbeaten run on the road in the top division and delivered the Toffees their first defeat at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton were unbeaten in their five previous fixtures at their recently opened stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, having left Goodison Park behind after more than a century at the conclusion of the previous campaign.

But Tottenham's leader Van de Ven pounced twice from set-pieces in the first half to place their strong form at risk, and they were failed to mount a comeback before Pape Matar Sarr - assisted by ex-Everton forward the Brazilian - nodded in a third to put the game to bed.

Jake O'Brien believed 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.

Beto, meanwhile, missed a number of chances, while Vicario made a series of excellent stops to guarantee the London club went five away games without defeat in the English top flight.

But the VAR stepped in, instructing the match official to check the score on the pitchside monitor and the referee decided that the winger and the attacker were in an illegal position and had impeded with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

This victory moves the manager's team into third place in the division, a handful of points off north London rivals and table-toppers the Gunners.

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

Tottenham analysis: Van de Ven excels in role at both ends of the field

After a drab midweek performance in the European competition against Monaco, where they mustered a only attempts on goal, Frank opted for the French striker up front instead of former Toffees player Richarlison.

The new arrival was unable to influence the game before being replaced for Richarlison after 60 minutes on the pitch, but it turns out he proved unnecessary in the final outcome.

Defender the Dutchman transformed into an offensive threat to be reckoned with.

Spurs' first goal came from a well-worked set-piece play, with the midfielder heading the ball toward the face of goal for an unmarked Van de Ven to head home.

And Ven de Ven - stepping up as captain in the Argentine's absence - added his second in first-half stoppage time as he outjumped Jordan Pickford to nod in.

The Dutchman was just as impressive in defensive duties, combining well with his defensive colleague as the pair handled superbly with the numerous deliveries thrown their way by the opposition.

Everton analysis: Toffees lacking finishing touch

The club's recent stadium had been a fortress, but it appears the novelty may have worn off somewhat and fans headed to the exits after the midfielder's final goal for Tottenham.

The break in the team's unbeaten home run won't be a massive worry for David Moyes, but their striker situation are.

Beto and Thierno Barry - the Toffees' pair of established strikers - had netted just a single goal combined before Sunday's match.

And they were unable to add to that poor record on a damp and dreary night on in Liverpool.

Beto's form was epitomized when he opted to bicycle-kick a golden opportunity from close range, even with having room and opportunity to reposition for a more conventional shot that would have challenged Vicario.

Barry, too, failed to make an impact after replacing Beto in the second half.

It was not for a lack of opportunity. Most of the home side's attacks came through Grealish and the forward, who relentlessly delivered dangerous crosses into the Tottenham box.

Upcoming fixtures for both teams?

The Toffees: Moyes' men travel to Sunderland in the Premier League on early November at 8 PM.

Tottenham: Spurs go to Newcastle's ground on late October for their next round Carabao Cup tie against Newcastle.

Dylan King
Dylan King

A professional organizer and cleaning consultant with over a decade of experience in sustainable home management.