Van de Ven Double Halts The Toffees' Unbeaten Streak 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 game for Spurs since Jan Vertonghen in spring 2013.

Key points

  • The Spurs defender heads into the net two times in opening period

  • Everton's defender has equalizer ruled after VAR review

  • Senegalese midfielder scores third in dying moments

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

The Tottenham defender scored on two occasions as Spurs prolonged their winning streak in away games in the Premier League and handed the Toffees their initial loss at their new home.

Everton were undefeated in their five previous fixtures at their new ground at the dockside location, having departed Goodison Park behind after more than a century at the end of the previous campaign.

But Tottenham's leader the Dutchman struck on two occasions 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 - set up by former Toffees attacker the Brazilian - headed home a third to put the game to bed.

The Everton defender believed he had levelled the tally a short while after the defender's first goal, glancing a bullet header past the Spurs keeper from an set-piece.

The Portuguese striker, in the meantime, missed a handful of chances, while the Italian goalkeeper made a series of fine stops to guarantee the London club went five away games unbeaten in the Premier League.

But the VAR intervened, instructing the match official to check the score on the pitchside monitor and the official ruled that Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye were in offside positions and had impeded with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

This victory elevates the manager's side up to third in the division, a handful of points off local foes and leaders the Gunners.

The Merseyside club stay in 14th position and sit half a dozen points ahead of the relegation zone.

Tottenham analysis: The defender fulfils duties at both ends of pitch

Following a uninspiring midweek display in the European competition against Monaco, where they managed a only two shots on goal, Frank chose the French striker in attack instead of former Toffees player the Brazilian.

The summer signing was failed to make much of an impact before being substituted for Richarlison after 60 minutes on the field, but it emerged he wasn't needed in the end.

Centre-back the Dutchman transformed into an offensive threat to be reckoned with.

Spurs' opening strike came from a cleverly executed set-piece play, with Rodrigo Bentancur directing the ball back across the face of goal for an unmarked Van de Ven to score.

And Ven de Ven - filling in as skipper in Cristian Romero's unavailability - notched his next goal in first-half stoppage time as he outjumped Jordan Pickford to head home.

Van de Ven was just as outstanding in defence, combining well with Kevin Danso as the duo handled excellently with the 34 crosses thrown their way by the opposition.

Toffees breakdown: Everton lacking finishing touch

Everton's new home had been a fortress, but it appears the novelty may have faded somewhat and fans headed to the gates after Sarr's third for Spurs.

The break in the team's winning streak at home will not be a major concern for David Moyes, but their striker situation are.

Beto and the other striker - the Toffees' two recognised centre-forwards - had scored only one league goal combined before Sunday's match.

And they were unable to add to that miserable tally on a damp and dreary evening on in Liverpool.

Beto's form was summed up when he opted to bicycle-kick a clear chance from near the goal, even with having space and opportunity to readjust for a more conventional shot that would have tested Vicario.

The substitute, as well, failed to make an impact after replacing Beto in the 65th minute.

It was not for a lack of chance. Most of Everton's offensive moves came through Grealish and Ndiaye, who relentlessly whipped dangerous crosses into the Tottenham box.

Upcoming fixtures for both teams?

The Toffees: Moyes' men travel to Sunderland in the top flight on Monday, 3 November at 20:00 GMT.

Tottenham: The London club go to St James' Park on late October for their next round League Cup tie against Newcastle.

Kristen Bailey
Kristen Bailey

Cybersecurity specialist and AI researcher with over a decade of experience in tech innovation and digital security solutions.