Micky van de Ven Brace Halts Everton's Unbeaten Streak at New Stadium

Micky van de Ven celebrating

The Dutch defender became the initial defender to score two goals in a English top-flight game for Tottenham since the Belgian defender in spring 2013.

At a glance

  • The Spurs defender heads home twice in opening period

  • Everton's Jake O'Brien has equalizer disallowed after VAR review

  • Senegalese midfielder scores third in 89th minute

  • This loss is Everton's initial at Hill Dickinson Stadium

The Tottenham defender found the net on two occasions as Spurs prolonged their unbeaten run on the road in the Premier League and handed Everton their initial loss at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

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

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

Jake O'Brien thought he had levelled the tally a short while after the defender's opener, glancing a bullet header past the Spurs keeper from an set-piece.

The Portuguese striker, in the meantime, missed a number of opportunities, while the Italian goalkeeper made a succession of excellent saves to ensure the London club went five matches on the road unbeaten in the Premier League.

But the video assistant referee intervened, advising Craig Pawson to check the score on the pitchside monitor and the referee decided that the winger and the attacker were in offside positions and had interfered with the Spurs keeper.

This victory elevates Thomas Frank's side up to third in the division, five points off north London rivals and leaders the Gunners.

Everton remain in 14th position and are six points clear of the relegation zone.

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

After a drab weekday performance in the European competition against Monaco, where they mustered a only attempts on goal, the manager chose the French striker in attack instead of former Toffees player the Brazilian.

The summer signing was failed to make much of an impact before being replaced for Richarlison after 60 minutes on the field, but it emerged he wasn't needed in the end.

Defender Van de Ven transformed into an attacking force to be feared.

Tottenham's first goal came from a cleverly executed corner routine, with the midfielder heading the ball back across the six-yard box for an unmarked Van de Ven to score.

And the captain - stepping up as skipper in Cristian Romero's absence - added his second in added time as he outjumped the England keeper to nod in.

Van de Ven was equally impressive in defence, combining well with Kevin Danso as the duo dealt superbly with the 34 crosses sent their way by the opposition.

Everton analysis: Toffees missing finishing touch

The club's recent stadium had been a fortress, but it seems the freshness may have faded slightly and supporters headed to the exits after Sarr's third for Tottenham.

The end in Everton's winning streak at home will not be a major concern for the manager, but their attacking woes will be.

The forward and Thierno Barry - the Everton's pair of established strikers - had netted just one league goal combined before the weekend's outing.

And they were failed 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 space and opportunity to reposition for a more conventional shot that would have tested Vicario.

The substitute, as well, failed to make an impact after coming on for Beto in the second half.

It was not for a lack of opportunity. The majority of Everton's offensive moves came through Grealish and the forward, who tirelessly delivered threatening crosses into the Spurs penalty area.

What next for both teams?

The Toffees: Moyes' men travel to Sunderland in the Premier League on early November at 8 PM.

Tottenham: Spurs travel to St James' Park on Wednesday, 29 October for their next round Carabao Cup match against Newcastle.

Deborah Kennedy
Deborah Kennedy

Lena Voss is a tech journalist and content strategist with a passion for uncovering industry trends and simplifying complex topics.