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

Micky van de Ven celebrating

The Dutch defender emerged as the initial defender to score twice in a English top-flight game for Spurs since the Belgian defender in March 2013.

Match summary

  • Micky Van de Ven heads home twice in first half

  • The home side's Jake O'Brien has goal disallowed after video check

  • Senegalese midfielder nets third in dying moments

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

The Tottenham defender found the net on two occasions as Tottenham prolonged their winning streak in away games in the Premier League and delivered the Toffees their first defeat at their new home.

The Toffees were undefeated in their five previous fixtures at their recently opened stadium at the dockside location, having departed their historic home behind after more than a century at the end of last season.

But Tottenham's leader the Dutchman pounced twice from set-pieces in the opening 45 minutes to put their strong form at risk, and they were failed to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - assisted by ex-Everton forward Richarlison - nodded in a final goal to seal the victory.

Jake O'Brien thought he had levelled the scores a short while after Van de Ven's first goal, directing a bullet header past the Spurs keeper from an set-piece.

The Portuguese striker, in the meantime, failed to convert a handful of opportunities, while Vicario made a succession of fine stops to guarantee the London club went five away games without defeat in the English top flight.

But the VAR stepped in, advising Craig Pawson to review the score on the screen and the official ruled that the winger and Iliman Ndiaye were in offside positions and had impeded with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

This victory moves Thomas Frank's team into third place in the division, a handful of points off local foes and leaders Arsenal.

Everton remain 14th and sit half a dozen points clear of the drop zone.

Spurs breakdown: Van de Ven fulfils duties at both ends of pitch

After a uninspiring weekday display in the Champions League against Monaco, where they managed a only attempts on target, the manager chose the French striker in attack instead of ex-Everton forward the Brazilian.

The summer signing was failed to influence the game before being substituted for the substitute after 60 minutes on the field, but it turns out he wasn't needed in the final outcome.

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

Tottenham's opening strike came from a cleverly executed set-piece play, with the midfielder directing the ball back across the six-yard box for an unmarked Van de Ven to head home.

And the captain - stepping up as captain in Cristian Romero's unavailability - notched his next goal in first-half stoppage time as he rose above the England keeper to head home.

Van de Ven was just as impressive in defence, partnering well with Kevin Danso as the pair handled superbly with the 34 crosses thrown their way by Everton.

Everton analysis: Everton missing striker's instinct

Everton's recent stadium had been a happy hunting ground, but it seems the novelty may have worn off somewhat and fans headed to the exits after the midfielder's third for Spurs.

The end in the team's winning streak at home won't be a major worry for the manager, but their attacking woes are.

The forward and the other striker - the Toffees' pair of recognised strikers - had scored only one league goal combined before the weekend's match.

And they were failed to contribute to that poor tally on a wet and gloomy night on Merseyside.

The striker's performance was epitomized when he chose to overhead kick a golden opportunity from close range, even with having space and opportunity to readjust for a more conventional attempt that would have challenged Vicario.

The substitute, as well, failed to influence the game after replacing Beto in the 65th minute.

It was not for a shortage of chance. Most of the home side's offensive moves came through the winger and the forward, who tirelessly whipped threatening crosses into the Tottenham penalty area.

Upcoming fixtures for these two sides?

Everton: Moyes' men travel to the Stadium of Light in the top flight on early November at 8 PM.

Tottenham: Spurs travel to Newcastle's ground on Wednesday, 29 October for their fourth-round League Cup match against the Magpies.

Johnathan Manning
Johnathan Manning

A software engineer and tech writer with over 8 years of experience in AI and cloud computing, passionate about simplifying complex tech concepts.