Micky van de Ven Double Halts The Toffees' Unbeaten Streak at New Home Ground

Micky van de Ven celebrating

The Dutch defender became the first defender to score twice in a Premier League match for Spurs since the Belgian defender in March 2013.

At a glance

  • The Spurs defender heads home twice in opening period

  • Everton's defender has goal ruled after video check

  • Senegalese midfielder nets third in dying moments

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

Micky van de Ven found the net on two occasions as Tottenham prolonged their winning streak in away games in the top division and handed Everton their first defeat at their new home.

The Toffees were unbeaten in their five previous fixtures at their new ground at Bramley-Moore Dock, having left their historic home behind after more than a century at the end of the previous campaign.

But Spurs captain Van de Ven pounced on two occasions from corners in the opening 45 minutes to put their impressive record at jeopardy, and they were failed to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - assisted by ex-Everton forward the Brazilian - nodded in a third to put the game to bed.

The Everton defender believed he had equalized the tally five minutes after Van de Ven's opener, glancing a bullet header past the Spurs keeper from an set-piece.

The Portuguese striker, in the meantime, missed a handful of opportunities, while the Italian goalkeeper made a series of excellent saves to guarantee Tottenham went five away games without defeat in the English top flight.

But the video assistant referee intervened, advising the match official to check the goal on the pitchside monitor and the official decided that Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye were in an illegal position and had impeded with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

The win elevates Thomas Frank's team into third place in the division, five points off local foes and table-toppers Arsenal.

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

Spurs breakdown: Van de Ven fulfils role at each end of the field

Following a uninspiring weekday display in the Champions League against the French side, where they mustered a mere attempts on target, the manager opted for the French striker up front instead of former Toffees player the Brazilian.

The new arrival was failed to influence the game before being substituted for Richarlison after 60 minutes on the pitch, but it turns out he proved unnecessary in the end.

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

Tottenham's opening strike came from a cleverly executed set-piece play, with the midfielder directing the ball toward the six-yard box for an free the defender to head home.

And Ven de Ven - filling in as skipper in Cristian Romero's unavailability - notched his next goal in first-half stoppage time as he rose above the England keeper to head home.

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

Everton analysis: Toffees lacking striker's instinct

The club's recent stadium had been a happy hunting ground, but it seems the novelty may have faded somewhat and supporters flocked to the exits after Sarr's third for Tottenham.

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

Beto and the other striker - the Toffees' pair of established centre-forwards - had netted only a single goal combined before Sunday's outing.

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

The striker's performance was summed up when he chose to bicycle-kick a clear chance from close range, despite having room and time to reposition for a simpler attempt that would have tested the keeper.

The substitute, too, was unable to influence the game after coming on for Beto in the second half.

It wasn't for a shortage of chance. Most of the home side's offensive moves came through the winger and the forward, who relentlessly delivered dangerous crosses into the Tottenham box.

What next for these two sides?

The Toffees: Moyes' men head to Sunderland in the Premier League on Monday, 3 November at 8 PM.

Tottenham: The London club travel to St James' Park on Wednesday, 29 October for their next round Carabao Cup match against Newcastle.

Trevor Vazquez
Trevor Vazquez

A tech journalist and network specialist with over a decade of experience in telecommunications and digital infrastructure.