Micky van de Ven Brace Halts Everton's Run at Brand New Home Ground

Micky van de Ven celebrating

The Dutch defender emerged as the first backline player to net two goals in a English top-flight game for Spurs since the Belgian defender in spring 2013.

Key points

  • The Spurs defender nods home two times in opening period

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

  • Senegalese midfielder nets third in dying moments

  • The defeat is the Merseyside club's initial at Hill Dickinson Stadium

The Tottenham defender scored twice as Tottenham prolonged their unbeaten run in away games in the top division and delivered the Toffees their initial loss at their new home.

Everton were unbeaten in their five previous fixtures at their new ground at the dockside location, having departed their historic home behind after 133 years at the end of last season.

But Spurs captain the Dutchman struck on two occasions from set-pieces in the first half to put their impressive record at risk, and they were unable to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - assisted by ex-Everton forward Richarlison - headed home a final goal to seal the victory.

Jake O'Brien thought he had equalized the tally five minutes after the defender's first goal, glancing a powerful header past the Spurs keeper from an Everton corner.

The Portuguese striker, in the meantime, missed a handful of chances, while Vicario made a series of excellent stops to ensure Tottenham went five away games unbeaten in the English top flight.

But the VAR intervened, advising Craig Pawson to review the score on the screen and the official ruled that the winger and the attacker were in offside positions and had impeded with the Spurs keeper.

The win moves the manager's side into third place in the division, a handful of points off local foes and table-toppers Arsenal.

Everton remain 14th and are six points ahead of the drop zone.

Tottenham analysis: Van de Ven excels in duties at each end of pitch

After a drab weekday display in the European competition against the French side, where they mustered a mere attempts on goal, Frank opted for Randal Kolo Muani up front instead of ex-Everton forward Richarlison.

The summer signing was failed to influence the game before being substituted for Richarlison after 60 minutes on the field, but it emerged he wasn't needed in the end.

Defender Van de Ven converted into an offensive threat to be reckoned with.

Tottenham's first goal came from a cleverly executed corner routine, with Rodrigo Bentancur heading the ball back across the face of goal for an free Van de Ven to score.

And the captain - stepping up as skipper in Cristian Romero's absence - added his second in first-half stoppage time as he rose above the England keeper to head home.

The Dutchman was equally impressive in defensive duties, combining effectively with his defensive colleague as the duo dealt excellently with the 34 crosses sent their way by the opposition.

Toffees breakdown: Everton missing striker's instinct

Everton's new home had been a happy hunting ground, but it seems the novelty may have faded somewhat and fans flocked to the exits after the midfielder's third for Tottenham.

The break in Everton's winning streak at home won't be a major concern for David Moyes, but their attacking woes will be.

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

And they were unable to contribute to that miserable tally on a wet and gloomy night on Merseyside.

Beto's performance was epitomized when he chose 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 challenged Vicario.

The substitute, as well, failed to make an impact after coming on for Beto in the 65th minute.

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

What next for these two sides?

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

Spurs: Spurs go to St James' Park on Wednesday, 29 October for their next round Carabao Cup tie against the Magpies.

Nicole Conway
Nicole Conway

Elena Voss is a cloud architect with 10+ years of experience in designing scalable cloud solutions.