Micky van de Ven Double Halts Everton's Unbeaten Streak at Brand New Home Ground

Micky van de Ven celebrating

Micky van de Ven became the initial backline player to score twice in a English top-flight game for Spurs since Jan Vertonghen in March 2013.

Key points

  • The Spurs defender nods home two times in first half

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

  • Senegalese midfielder nets third in 89th minute

  • This loss is the Merseyside club's initial at Hill Dickinson Stadium

The Tottenham defender scored twice as Tottenham prolonged their unbeaten run in away games in the Premier League and handed the Toffees their first defeat at their new home.

The Toffees were undefeated in their five previous fixtures at their recently opened stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, having left their historic home behind after 133 years at the end of last season.

But Tottenham's leader the Dutchman pounced twice from corners in the opening 45 minutes to place their impressive record at jeopardy, and they were unable to turn it around before the midfielder - assisted by ex-Everton forward Richarlison - nodded in a final goal to put the game to bed.

Jake O'Brien believed he had equalized the tally a short while after the defender's first goal, directing a bullet header past the Spurs keeper from an Everton corner.

Beto, in the meantime, missed a number of chances, while Vicario made a succession of excellent stops to ensure Tottenham went five away games unbeaten in the Premier League.

But the VAR stepped in, advising Craig Pawson to review the score on the screen and the referee decided that Jack Grealish and the attacker were in offside positions and had impeded with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

The win moves the manager's team into third place in the Premier League, a handful of points off north London rivals and table-toppers Arsenal.

The Merseyside club remain in 14th position and are half a dozen points clear of the drop zone.

Tottenham analysis: Van de Ven fulfils role at both ends of the field

Following a uninspiring weekday display in the European competition against Monaco, where they managed a mere attempts on goal, the manager chose the French striker in attack instead of ex-Everton forward the Brazilian.

The new arrival was failed to make much of an impact before being substituted for the substitute after 60 minutes on the pitch, but it emerged he wasn't needed in the final outcome.

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

Spurs' opening strike came from a cleverly executed corner routine, with Rodrigo Bentancur heading the ball toward the six-yard box for an unmarked Van de Ven to score.

And the captain - filling in as skipper in Cristian Romero's unavailability - notched his second in first-half stoppage time as he rose above the England keeper to nod in.

The Dutchman was equally outstanding in defensive duties, partnering effectively with his defensive colleague as the pair dealt excellently with the 34 crosses sent their way by the opposition.

Toffees breakdown: Toffees missing finishing touch

The club's recent stadium had been a happy hunting ground, but it appears the novelty may have worn off somewhat and supporters flocked to the exits after Sarr's final goal for Spurs.

The break in the team'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 Toffees' two established centre-forwards - had scored only one league goal between them before the weekend's match.

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

Beto's form was epitomized when he opted to overhead kick a clear chance from close range, even with having room and time to reposition for a more conventional shot that would have challenged the keeper.

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

It wasn't for a lack of opportunity. The majority of Everton's attacks came through Grealish and the forward, who tirelessly delivered threatening crosses into the Spurs box.

Upcoming fixtures for these two sides?

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

Spurs: Spurs go to St James' Park on Wednesday, 29 October for their next round League Cup match against the Magpies.

Tina Gray
Tina Gray

Eleanor is a seasoned crafter and journalist with over a decade of experience in DIY and textile arts.