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

Micky van de Ven celebrating

Micky van de Ven emerged as the initial backline player to score two goals in a English top-flight match for Tottenham since the Belgian defender in March 2013.

At a glance

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

  • The home side's defender has goal disallowed after VAR review

  • Senegalese midfielder scores final goal in dying moments

  • This loss is Everton's first at their new ground

The Tottenham defender found the net twice as Spurs extended their unbeaten run on the road in the Premier League and delivered the Toffees their initial loss at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The Toffees were undefeated in their last five matches at their new ground at the dockside location, having left Goodison Park behind after 133 years at the end of last season.

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

The Everton defender believed he had equalized the scores a short while after Van de Ven's opener, glancing a powerful header past Guglielmo Vicario from an set-piece.

Beto, in the meantime, missed a number of chances, while the Italian goalkeeper made a series of fine saves to guarantee the London club went five away games without defeat in the Premier League.

But the video assistant referee intervened, instructing the match official to review the score on the screen and the official ruled that Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye were in an illegal position and had impeded with the Spurs keeper.

This victory elevates the manager's team into third place in the Premier League, a handful of points off north London rivals and leaders the Gunners.

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

Tottenham analysis: Van de Ven fulfils duties at each end of the field

After a uninspiring weekday performance in the European competition against Monaco, where they mustered a only two shots on target, the manager opted for the French striker up front instead of former Toffees player the Brazilian.

The summer signing was unable to make much of an impact before being substituted for Richarlison after an hour on the pitch, but it emerged he proved unnecessary in the end.

Centre-back Van de Ven converted into an attacking force to be feared.

Spurs' opening strike came from a well-worked set-piece play, with the midfielder heading the ball back across the six-yard box for an free Van de Ven to score.

And Ven de Ven - stepping up as skipper in the Argentine's unavailability - added his next goal in first-half stoppage time as he rose above Jordan Pickford to nod in.

Van de Ven was equally outstanding in defence, partnering effectively with Kevin Danso as the pair dealt superbly with the 34 crosses thrown their way by the opposition.

Everton analysis: Toffees missing finishing touch

Everton's new home had been a fortress, but it seems the novelty may have faded somewhat and fans flocked to the gates after Sarr'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 striker situation are.

Beto and the other striker - the Everton's pair of established strikers - had scored just one league goal combined before the weekend's match.

And they were unable to add to that poor tally on a wet and gloomy evening on Merseyside.

The striker's performance was summed up when he opted to overhead kick a golden opportunity from close range, despite having room and opportunity to reposition for a simpler attempt that would have tested Vicario.

Barry, too, failed to make an impact after coming on for Beto in the 65th minute.

It was not for a shortage of opportunity. Most of Everton's offensive moves came through Grealish and Ndiaye, who relentlessly delivered threatening balls into the Tottenham box.

What next for these two sides?

Everton: Moyes' men travel to the Stadium of Light in the top flight on Monday, 3 November at 20:00 GMT.

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

Dana Lee
Dana Lee

Technology analyst and writer with a PhD in Computer Science, passionate about emerging tech trends.