Micky van de Ven Double Halts Everton's Run at New Stadium

Micky van de Ven celebrating

Micky van de Ven emerged as the first defender to score twice in a Premier League game for Spurs since the Belgian defender in March 2013.

Match summary

  • The Spurs defender heads into the net twice in first half

  • The home side's Jake O'Brien has goal ruled after VAR review

  • Senegalese midfielder nets final goal in 89th minute

  • This loss is the Merseyside club's first at their new ground

Micky van de Ven scored twice as Tottenham prolonged their winning streak in away games in the Premier League and delivered Everton their initial loss at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The Toffees were unbeaten in their five previous fixtures at their recently opened stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, having departed Goodison Park behind after more than a century at the conclusion of the previous campaign.

But Tottenham's leader the Dutchman struck twice from corners in the opening 45 minutes to place their impressive record at risk, and they were failed to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - assisted by former Toffees attacker the Brazilian - nodded in a final goal to put the game to bed.

Jake O'Brien believed he had levelled the scores five minutes after Van de Ven's opener, directing a powerful header past Guglielmo Vicario from an set-piece.

Beto, in the meantime, failed to convert a handful of chances, while the Italian goalkeeper made a succession of fine saves to guarantee the London club went five away games without defeat in the English top flight.

But the VAR intervened, advising Craig Pawson to check the goal on the pitchside monitor and the referee ruled that the winger and Iliman Ndiaye were in an illegal position and had interfered with the Spurs keeper.

The win elevates Thomas Frank's side into third place in the Premier League, five points off north London rivals and leaders the Gunners.

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

Spurs breakdown: Van de Ven excels in duties at both ends of pitch

Following a drab midweek display in the Champions League against Monaco, where they mustered a mere attempts on goal, the manager chose the French striker up front instead of ex-Everton forward the Brazilian.

The new arrival was unable to make much of an impact before being substituted for Richarlison after 60 minutes on the pitch, but it turns out he wasn't needed in the end.

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

Tottenham's first goal came from a cleverly executed set-piece play, with the midfielder directing the ball toward the face of goal for an unmarked Van de Ven to score.

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

Van de Ven was equally impressive in defensive duties, combining well with Kevin Danso as the pair handled superbly with the 34 crosses sent their way by Everton.

Everton analysis: Toffees missing striker's instinct

The club's new home had been a fortress, but it seems the freshness may have faded somewhat and supporters headed to the gates after Sarr's final goal for Spurs.

The end in the team's unbeaten home run won't be a massive worry for the manager, but their striker situation are.

The forward and Thierno Barry - the Toffees' pair of recognised strikers - had scored only a single goal between them before the weekend's outing.

And they were failed to add to that miserable tally on a damp and dreary night on in Liverpool.

The striker's performance was epitomized when he opted to bicycle-kick a golden opportunity from close range, even with having room and opportunity to readjust for a more conventional shot that would have tested Vicario.

Barry, as well, was unable to influence the game after coming on for Beto in the second half.

It was not for a lack of chance. Most of the home side's attacks came through Grealish and the forward, who tirelessly delivered dangerous crosses into the Tottenham penalty area.

What next for both teams?

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

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

Christian Atkins
Christian Atkins

Maya Chen is a front-end developer and UI designer passionate about creating efficient, accessible web frameworks and sharing insights on modern CSS techniques.