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

Micky van de Ven celebrating

Micky van de Ven emerged as the first defender to score two goals in a English top-flight match for Spurs since Jan Vertonghen in spring 2013.

At a glance

  • Micky Van de Ven nods home twice in first half

  • Everton's defender has equalizer disallowed after video check

  • Senegalese midfielder scores final goal in dying moments

  • The defeat is the Merseyside club's first at Hill Dickinson Stadium

Micky van de Ven scored on two occasions as Tottenham prolonged their unbeaten run in away games in the Premier League and delivered the Toffees their initial loss at their new home.

Everton were unbeaten in their five previous fixtures at their new ground at the dockside location, having left their historic home behind after more than a century at the end of the previous campaign.

But Spurs captain the Dutchman struck on two occasions from corners in the opening 45 minutes to put their impressive record at risk, and they were unable to mount a comeback before Pape Matar Sarr - assisted by former Toffees attacker the Brazilian - headed home a third to seal the victory.

The Everton defender believed he had levelled the scores five minutes after Van de Ven's opener, directing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an set-piece.

The Portuguese striker, in the meantime, missed a handful of opportunities, while Vicario made a series of excellent stops to ensure Tottenham went five matches on the road unbeaten in the English top flight.

But the VAR intervened, advising Craig Pawson to check the score on the pitchside monitor and the official ruled that the winger and the attacker were in offside positions and had impeded with the Spurs keeper.

The win moves the manager's team up to third in the division, five points off local foes and table-toppers the Gunners.

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

Spurs breakdown: The defender fulfils role at both ends of pitch

After a uninspiring midweek display in the European competition against the French side, where they managed a only attempts on target, Frank chose the French striker up front instead of ex-Everton forward the Brazilian.

The new arrival was unable to make much of an impact before being substituted for the substitute after an hour on the pitch, but it turns out he proved unnecessary in the final outcome.

Defender the Dutchman converted into an offensive threat to be reckoned with.

Tottenham's opening strike came from a well-worked set-piece play, with Rodrigo Bentancur directing the ball toward the six-yard box for an unmarked Van de Ven to score.

And the captain - stepping up as captain in the Argentine's unavailability - notched his second in added time as he rose above Jordan Pickford to head home.

The Dutchman was equally outstanding in defensive duties, partnering well with his defensive colleague as the pair handled excellently with the numerous deliveries thrown their way by the opposition.

Toffees breakdown: Everton lacking striker's instinct

The club's recent stadium had been a happy hunting ground, but it appears the freshness may have faded somewhat and fans flocked to the exits after the midfielder's final goal for Spurs.

The break in the team's unbeaten home run won't be a massive worry for the manager, but their attacking woes will be.

The forward and the other striker - the Toffees' pair of established centre-forwards - had scored just one league goal between them before Sunday's outing.

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

Beto's form was summed up when he opted to overhead kick a golden opportunity from close range, despite having space and time to readjust for a more conventional attempt that would have challenged the keeper.

The substitute, too, failed to influence the game after coming on for the starter in the 65th minute.

It was not for a shortage of chance. Most of Everton's offensive moves came through the winger and Ndiaye, who relentlessly whipped dangerous balls into the Tottenham penalty area.

What next for these two sides?

The Toffees: The team head to the Stadium of Light in the Premier League on Monday, 3 November at 8 PM.

Tottenham: The London club go to St James' Park on Wednesday, 29 October for their next round League Cup tie against the Magpies.

Rita Jones
Rita Jones

A seasoned digital strategist with over a decade of experience in tech innovation and business transformation.