Van de Ven Double Halts The Toffees' Run at Brand New Stadium

Micky van de Ven celebrating

Micky van de Ven became the initial backline player to score two goals in a English top-flight game for Tottenham since the Belgian defender in spring 2013.

Match summary

  • The Spurs defender nods home two times in first half

  • Everton's defender has equalizer ruled after video check

  • Pape Matar Sarr scores final goal in dying moments

  • This loss is the Merseyside club's first at Hill Dickinson Stadium

Micky van de Ven scored twice as Spurs prolonged their winning streak in away games in the Premier League and delivered the Toffees their first defeat at their new home.

The Toffees were undefeated in their last five matches at their recently opened stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, having departed their historic home behind after 133 years at the conclusion of last season.

But Spurs captain the Dutchman pounced twice from set-pieces in the opening 45 minutes to place their strong form at jeopardy, and they were unable to mount a comeback before the midfielder - set up by ex-Everton forward the Brazilian - nodded in a final goal to seal the victory.

Jake O'Brien believed he had levelled the tally a short while after the defender's first goal, glancing a powerful header past Guglielmo Vicario from an Everton corner.

Beto, meanwhile, failed to convert a handful of chances, while Vicario made a succession of excellent saves to guarantee Tottenham went five matches on the road without defeat in the Premier League.

But the video assistant referee intervened, advising Craig Pawson to check the goal on the screen and the official decided that the winger and the attacker were in an illegal position and had interfered with the Spurs keeper.

This victory moves the manager's team into third place in the Premier League, five points off local foes and table-toppers Arsenal.

Everton remain 14th and sit half a dozen points ahead of the relegation zone.

Spurs breakdown: The defender fulfils duties at both ends of pitch

After a drab midweek performance in the European competition against the French side, where they managed a only two shots on target, the manager opted for the French striker in attack instead of ex-Everton forward the Brazilian.

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

Centre-back the Dutchman converted into an attacking force to be reckoned with.

Tottenham's opening strike came from a cleverly executed corner routine, with the midfielder heading the ball toward the six-yard box for an unmarked Van de Ven to head home.

And the captain - filling in as skipper in the Argentine's unavailability - added his next goal in added time as he rose above Jordan Pickford to head home.

The Dutchman was equally impressive in defensive duties, combining well with Kevin Danso as the duo handled excellently with the numerous deliveries sent their way by the opposition.

Toffees breakdown: Everton lacking finishing touch

The club's recent stadium had been a fortress, but it seems the novelty may have worn off slightly and supporters flocked to the exits after Sarr's final goal for Spurs.

The end in the team's unbeaten home run won't be a massive concern for the manager, but their striker situation are.

Beto and Thierno Barry - the Toffees' pair of recognised centre-forwards - had scored only a single goal between them before Sunday's match.

And they were failed to contribute to that miserable tally on a wet and gloomy evening on Merseyside.

The striker's performance was epitomized when he opted to overhead kick a golden opportunity from near the goal, despite having space and time to readjust for a more conventional attempt that would have tested the keeper.

The substitute, too, failed to make an impact after coming on for the starter in the 65th minute.

It wasn't 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.

What next for these two sides?

Everton: The team head to the Stadium of Light in the Premier League on early November at 8 PM.

Tottenham: Spurs travel to St James' Park on Wednesday, 29 October for their next round League Cup match against the Magpies.

Allen Thompson
Allen Thompson

A tech enthusiast and software developer with over a decade of experience in building scalable applications and mentoring teams.