Van de Ven Brace Halts Everton's Unbeaten Streak at Brand New Home Ground

Micky van de Ven celebrating

The Dutch defender emerged as the first backline player to net twice in a English top-flight game for Spurs since Jan Vertonghen in March 2013.

Key points

  • Micky Van de Ven nods into the net two times in first half

  • Everton's defender has equalizer ruled after video check

  • Senegalese midfielder scores final goal in 89th minute

  • The defeat is Everton's initial at their new ground

Micky van de Ven found the net on two occasions as Tottenham prolonged their winning streak on the road in the top division and delivered Everton 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 departed Goodison Park behind after 133 years at the end of the previous campaign.

But Spurs captain Van de Ven struck on two occasions from set-pieces in the first half to put their strong form at risk, and they were unable to mount a comeback before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by former Toffees attacker Richarlison - nodded in a third to seal the victory.

The Everton defender thought he had levelled the scores five minutes after the defender's first goal, directing a powerful header past Guglielmo Vicario from an Everton corner.

The Portuguese striker, meanwhile, failed to convert a number of opportunities, while Vicario made a succession of excellent stops to guarantee Tottenham went five matches on the road without defeat in the Premier League.

But the VAR stepped in, instructing Craig Pawson to check the score on the screen and the official decided that Jack Grealish and the attacker were in offside positions and had impeded with the Spurs keeper.

The win moves Thomas Frank's team into third place in the division, five points off north London rivals and leaders the Gunners.

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

Tottenham analysis: The defender excels in duties at each end of pitch

After a drab midweek display in the Champions League against Monaco, where they managed a mere attempts on target, the manager chose Randal Kolo Muani in attack instead of former Toffees player Richarlison.

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 end.

Defender the Dutchman converted into an offensive threat to be feared.

Spurs' first goal came from a cleverly executed set-piece play, with Rodrigo Bentancur heading the ball back across the six-yard box for an unmarked the defender to head home.

And Ven de Ven - filling in as skipper in the Argentine's unavailability - notched his second in first-half stoppage time as he rose above the England keeper to nod in.

The Dutchman was equally outstanding in defence, partnering well with his defensive colleague as the duo handled excellently with the 34 crosses thrown their way by the opposition.

Everton analysis: Everton missing striker's instinct

The club's new home had been a fortress, but it seems the freshness may have worn off slightly and fans flocked to the exits after the midfielder's third for Spurs.

The break in the team's winning streak at home will not be a major worry for David Moyes, but their attacking woes will be.

Beto and Thierno Barry - the Everton's pair of established centre-forwards - had scored 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 in Liverpool.

Beto's form was epitomized when he opted to bicycle-kick a golden opportunity from close range, despite having space and opportunity to readjust for a simpler attempt that would have challenged Vicario.

Barry, too, failed to influence the game after coming on for Beto in the 65th minute.

It wasn't for a lack of chance. The majority of Everton's attacks came through the winger and Ndiaye, who relentlessly delivered dangerous balls into the Spurs penalty area.

What next for these two sides?

The Toffees: Moyes' men travel to the Stadium of Light in the Premier League on early November at 20:00 GMT.

Tottenham: The London club go to Newcastle's ground on late October for their next round League Cup match against the Magpies.

Lori Hill
Lori Hill

A certified personal trainer with over a decade of experience in strength conditioning and sports nutrition.