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

Micky van de Ven celebrating

Micky van de Ven became the initial defender to net twice in a Premier League game for Spurs since the Belgian defender in spring 2013.

Match summary

  • Micky Van de Ven heads home two times in opening period

  • Everton's defender has equalizer disallowed after video check

  • Senegalese midfielder nets third in 89th minute

  • The defeat is Everton's initial at Hill Dickinson Stadium

Micky van de Ven found the net twice as Tottenham extended their winning streak on the road in the top division and delivered Everton their initial loss at their new home.

Everton were undefeated in their last five matches at their recently opened stadium at the dockside location, having departed their historic home behind after more than a century at the conclusion of last season.

But Tottenham's leader Van de Ven struck twice from set-pieces in the first half to place their impressive record at jeopardy, and they were unable to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - assisted by former Toffees attacker the Brazilian - nodded in a final goal to seal the victory.

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

Beto, meanwhile, failed to convert a number of chances, while the Italian goalkeeper made a succession of fine stops to ensure Tottenham went five matches on the road without defeat in the English top flight.

But the VAR stepped in, instructing Craig Pawson to review the goal on the screen and the referee decided that Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye were in an illegal position and had impeded with the Spurs keeper.

The win elevates Thomas Frank's side up to third in the division, a handful of points off north London rivals and leaders Arsenal.

The Merseyside club remain 14th and sit six points clear of the drop zone.

Tottenham analysis: The defender fulfils role at both ends of pitch

Following a drab weekday display in the Champions League against Monaco, where they mustered a mere two shots on target, Frank chose Randal Kolo Muani up front instead of ex-Everton forward the Brazilian.

The new arrival was failed to influence the game before being replaced for Richarlison after 60 minutes on the field, but it turns out he wasn't needed in the end.

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

Tottenham's opening strike came from a well-worked set-piece play, with Rodrigo Bentancur heading the ball back across the face of goal for an unmarked the defender to score.

And Ven de Ven - filling in as skipper in Cristian Romero's absence - added his second in added time as he outjumped the England keeper to head home.

Van de Ven was just as impressive in defensive duties, combining well with Kevin Danso as the duo dealt excellently with the 34 crosses sent their way by the opposition.

Toffees breakdown: Toffees missing striker's instinct

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

The break in Everton's winning streak at home won't be a massive worry for David Moyes, but their attacking woes are.

The forward and the other striker - the Toffees' pair of recognised strikers - had netted only a single goal combined before Sunday's outing.

And they were unable to contribute to that miserable tally on a damp and dreary night on Merseyside.

Beto's form was summed up when he chose to bicycle-kick a clear chance from near the goal, even with having room and time to readjust for a more conventional attempt that would have challenged the keeper.

The substitute, as well, was unable to influence the game after coming on for Beto in the 65th minute.

It wasn't for a shortage of chance. Most of the home side's offensive moves came through Grealish and Ndiaye, who tirelessly whipped dangerous crosses into the Tottenham penalty area.

What next for both teams?

Everton: Moyes' men head to the Stadium of Light in the top flight on early November at 20:00 GMT.

Spurs: The London club travel to Newcastle's ground on late October for their next round Carabao Cup match against the Magpies.

Brent Klein
Brent Klein

Digital strategist with over a decade of experience in helping startups scale through innovative marketing techniques.