Micky van de Ven Brace Ends The Toffees' Unbeaten Streak at New Home Ground

Micky van de Ven celebrating

The Dutch defender became the initial backline player to score two goals in a Premier League match for Tottenham since Jan Vertonghen in March 2013.

At a glance

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

  • The home side's Jake O'Brien has equalizer disallowed after VAR review

  • Senegalese midfielder scores final goal in dying moments

  • The defeat is the Merseyside club's initial at their new ground

The Tottenham defender scored twice as Tottenham prolonged their unbeaten run on the road in the Premier League and delivered the Toffees their first defeat at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The Toffees were unbeaten in their five previous fixtures at their new ground at the dockside location, having departed Goodison Park behind after 133 years at the end of the previous campaign.

But Tottenham's leader Van de Ven struck twice from corners in the opening 45 minutes to put their impressive record at jeopardy, and they were failed to mount a comeback before Pape Matar Sarr - assisted by former Toffees attacker Richarlison - headed home a third to seal the victory.

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

The Portuguese striker, in the meantime, missed a handful of chances, while the Italian goalkeeper made a series of fine 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 pitchside monitor and the official decided that Jack Grealish and the attacker were in an illegal position and had impeded with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

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

The Merseyside club stay 14th and are six points clear of the drop zone.

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

Following a uninspiring midweek performance in the European competition against the French side, where they managed a mere attempts on goal, the manager chose the French striker in attack instead of former Toffees player Richarlison.

The new arrival was failed to make much of an impact before being replaced for Richarlison after 60 minutes on the field, but it emerged he proved unnecessary in the end.

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

Tottenham's opening strike came from a cleverly executed corner routine, with Rodrigo Bentancur heading the ball toward the six-yard box for an free Van de Ven to score.

And the captain - stepping up as captain in the Argentine's unavailability - notched his second in added time as he rose above the England keeper to nod in.

The Dutchman was just as impressive in defence, partnering effectively with Kevin Danso as the pair dealt excellently with the numerous deliveries thrown their way by Everton.

Everton analysis: Everton missing striker's instinct

Everton's recent stadium had been a happy hunting ground, but it seems the novelty may have worn off somewhat and fans flocked to the gates after Sarr's final goal for Tottenham.

The break in Everton's unbeaten home run will not be a major concern for David Moyes, but their attacking woes are.

Beto and Thierno Barry - the Toffees' pair of established centre-forwards - had netted just a single goal combined before Sunday's outing.

And they were failed to add to that poor tally on a wet and gloomy evening on in Liverpool.

The striker's performance was epitomized when he chose to bicycle-kick a golden opportunity from close range, despite having space and time to readjust for a more conventional shot that would have challenged Vicario.

Barry, as well, was unable to make an impact after replacing Beto in the second half.

It wasn't for a shortage of chance. The majority of the home side's attacks came through Grealish and Ndiaye, who tirelessly whipped dangerous balls into the Tottenham box.

What next for these two sides?

Everton: The team travel to Sunderland in the Premier League on early November at 20:00 GMT.

Spurs: The London club travel to St James' Park on Wednesday, 29 October for their fourth-round Carabao Cup match against the Magpies.

James Butler
James Butler

A digital strategist and lifestyle writer with over a decade of experience in content creation and brand development.