Van de Ven Double Ends Everton's Unbeaten Streak at New Stadium

Micky van de Ven celebrating

Micky van de Ven became the initial defender to score two goals in a Premier League game for Tottenham since the Belgian defender in March 2013.

Match summary

  • Micky Van de Ven nods home two times in first half

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

  • Senegalese midfielder nets third in dying moments

  • The defeat is Everton's initial at Hill Dickinson Stadium

The Tottenham defender found the net on two occasions as Tottenham prolonged their unbeaten run in away games in the top division and handed Everton their initial loss at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton were undefeated in their five previous fixtures at their recently opened stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, having departed their historic home behind after more than a century at the conclusion of the previous campaign.

But Spurs captain the Dutchman pounced twice from corners in the opening 45 minutes to put their strong form at jeopardy, and they were unable to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - assisted by ex-Everton forward Richarlison - nodded in a final goal to put the game to bed.

The Everton defender thought he had equalized the scores a short while after Van de Ven's first goal, directing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an Everton corner.

Beto, meanwhile, missed a number of chances, while Vicario made a series of fine stops to guarantee Tottenham went five away games unbeaten in the Premier League.

But the VAR intervened, advising Craig Pawson to check the goal on the screen and the referee decided that the winger and the attacker were in offside positions and had interfered with the Spurs keeper.

This victory moves Thomas Frank's team up to third in the Premier League, a handful of points off local foes and table-toppers Arsenal.

Everton stay in 14th position and are six points ahead of the drop zone.

Spurs breakdown: The defender excels in role at both ends of the field

After a drab weekday display in the Champions League against Monaco, where they mustered a only attempts on goal, the manager opted for the French striker up front instead of former Toffees player the Brazilian.

The summer signing was failed to make much of an impact before being substituted for Richarlison after an hour on the pitch, but it emerged he wasn't needed in the final outcome.

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

Spurs' opening strike came from a cleverly executed corner routine, with Rodrigo Bentancur directing the ball toward the six-yard box for an free the defender to score.

And Ven de Ven - stepping up as skipper in the Argentine's absence - notched his next goal in first-half stoppage time as he outjumped Jordan Pickford to nod in.

Van de Ven was equally outstanding in defence, combining effectively with Kevin Danso as the duo handled excellently with the numerous deliveries sent their way by the opposition.

Toffees breakdown: Everton lacking finishing touch

Everton's new home had been a happy hunting ground, but it seems the freshness may have worn off slightly and supporters flocked to the exits after Sarr's final goal for Spurs.

The break in Everton's unbeaten home run won't be a major concern for David Moyes, but their striker situation will be.

The forward and Thierno Barry - the Everton's two established strikers - had netted only one league goal between them before the weekend's outing.

And they were failed to contribute to that poor 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, despite having space and time to readjust for a simpler shot that would have tested Vicario.

The substitute, as well, was unable to make an impact after coming on for Beto in the 65th minute.

It wasn't for a shortage of opportunity. The majority of the home side's offensive moves came through Grealish and Ndiaye, who tirelessly delivered dangerous crosses into the Tottenham box.

What next for both teams?

The Toffees: Moyes' men head to Sunderland in the Premier League on early November at 20:00 GMT.

Spurs: Spurs travel to St James' Park on late October for their fourth-round Carabao Cup tie against the Magpies.

Deborah Hart
Deborah Hart

A seasoned royal commentator with over a decade of experience covering British monarchy events and lifestyle trends.