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

Micky van de Ven celebrating

Micky van de Ven emerged as the first backline player to net twice in a Premier League match for Spurs since Jan Vertonghen in March 2013.

Match summary

  • Micky Van de Ven heads home twice in first half

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

  • Pape Matar Sarr nets final goal in dying moments

  • This loss is the Merseyside club's first at their new ground

Micky van de Ven scored twice as Spurs extended their unbeaten run in away games in the Premier League and delivered the Toffees their first defeat at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton were undefeated in their last five matches at their recently opened stadium at the dockside location, having departed Goodison Park behind after more than a century at the conclusion of the previous campaign.

But Tottenham's leader the Dutchman pounced on two occasions from corners in the opening 45 minutes to place their strong form at risk, and they were unable to mount a comeback before Pape Matar Sarr - assisted by former Toffees attacker the Brazilian - headed home a final goal to put the game to bed.

The Everton defender believed he had equalized the scores five minutes after Van de Ven's opener, glancing a powerful header past the Spurs keeper from an Everton corner.

Beto, in the meantime, failed to convert a handful of opportunities, while the Italian goalkeeper made a succession of fine saves to ensure Tottenham went five matches on the road without defeat in the Premier League.

But the VAR stepped in, advising Craig Pawson to check the score on the pitchside monitor and the referee ruled that Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye were in offside positions and had impeded with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

The win elevates the manager's team up to third in the division, five points off north London rivals and leaders the Gunners.

Everton stay 14th and sit six points ahead of the relegation zone.

Tottenham analysis: Van de Ven fulfils duties at each end of the field

Following a drab midweek performance in the European competition against Monaco, where they managed a mere two shots on goal, the manager chose Randal Kolo Muani up front instead of ex-Everton forward Richarlison.

The summer signing was unable to make much of an impact before being replaced for Richarlison after 60 minutes 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.

Spurs' first goal came from a well-worked corner routine, with Rodrigo Bentancur heading the ball toward the six-yard box for an unmarked Van de Ven to score.

And Ven de Ven - filling in as skipper in Cristian Romero's absence - added his next goal in first-half stoppage time as he rose above the England keeper to nod in.

Van de Ven was just as impressive in defence, combining well with Kevin Danso as the pair dealt superbly with the numerous deliveries thrown their way by Everton.

Toffees breakdown: Toffees missing striker's instinct

Everton's new home had been a fortress, but it appears the novelty may have faded somewhat and fans flocked to the exits after the midfielder's third for Tottenham.

The break in the team's unbeaten home run will not be a massive concern for David Moyes, but their attacking woes are.

Beto and the other striker - the Everton's pair of established strikers - had scored only one league goal combined before Sunday's match.

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

The striker's form was summed up when he opted to overhead kick a clear chance from near the goal, despite having space and time to readjust for a more conventional attempt that would have tested the keeper.

The substitute, too, failed to make an impact after replacing the starter in the 65th minute.

It wasn't for a shortage of opportunity. Most of the home side's attacks came through the winger and the forward, who tirelessly delivered threatening balls into the Spurs penalty area.

Upcoming fixtures for both teams?

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

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

Luis Stein
Luis Stein

Elara Voss is a certified yoga instructor and wellness coach with over a decade of experience in holistic health practices.