Van de Ven Brace Halts The Toffees' Run at New Home Ground

Micky van de Ven celebrating

The Dutch defender emerged as the first defender to net twice in a English top-flight game for Spurs since Jan Vertonghen in March 2013.

Match summary

  • The Spurs defender nods home two times in first half

  • Everton's defender has equalizer disallowed after video check

  • Pape Matar Sarr scores third in 89th minute

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

Micky van de Ven scored twice as Tottenham extended their winning streak on the road in the top division and handed Everton their initial loss at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The Toffees were unbeaten in their five previous fixtures at their recently opened stadium 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 twice from corners in the opening 45 minutes to put their strong form at risk, and they were failed to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by former Toffees attacker Richarlison - nodded in a third 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, glancing a powerful header past the Spurs keeper from an set-piece.

Beto, meanwhile, failed to convert a number of opportunities, while Vicario made a series of fine stops to ensure Tottenham went five away games unbeaten in the Premier League.

But the VAR intervened, advising Craig Pawson to review the goal on the pitchside monitor and the official ruled that Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye were in offside positions and had interfered with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

This victory moves Thomas Frank's side into third place in the Premier League, a handful of points off north London rivals and leaders the Gunners.

Everton remain in 14th position and are half a dozen points ahead of the relegation zone.

Tottenham analysis: Van de Ven excels in duties at both ends of the field

After a uninspiring weekday display in the European competition against the French side, where they managed a only attempts on goal, Frank opted for the French striker in attack instead of ex-Everton forward Richarlison.

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 end.

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

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

And Ven de Ven - filling in as skipper in Cristian Romero's absence - added his next goal in added time as he outjumped Jordan Pickford to nod in.

Van de Ven was just as outstanding in defence, partnering effectively with his defensive colleague as the duo dealt excellently with the numerous deliveries thrown their way by the opposition.

Everton analysis: Everton missing finishing touch

The club's recent stadium had been a happy hunting ground, but it appears the freshness may have worn off somewhat and supporters flocked to the gates after Sarr's third for Tottenham.

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

Beto and Thierno Barry - the Toffees' two recognised centre-forwards - had scored only a single goal between them before Sunday's match.

And they were unable to contribute to that poor record on a damp and dreary night on Merseyside.

Beto's performance was epitomized when he chose to overhead kick a clear chance from near the goal, despite having space and opportunity to readjust for a more conventional attempt that would have tested the keeper.

Barry, too, was unable to influence the game after replacing the starter in the second half.

It was not for a shortage of chance. Most of the home side's offensive moves came through Grealish and the forward, who tirelessly delivered dangerous crosses into the Tottenham box.

Upcoming fixtures for both teams?

Everton: The team travel to Sunderland in the top flight on early November at 8 PM.

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

William Jones
William Jones

A seasoned gambling analyst with over a decade of experience in reviewing online slots and casinos across the UK.