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

Micky van de Ven celebrating

The Dutch defender became the first defender to net twice in a Premier League game for Spurs since the Belgian defender in March 2013.

At a glance

  • The Spurs defender heads into the net twice in opening period

  • The home side's Jake O'Brien has equalizer ruled after video check

  • Pape Matar Sarr scores third in dying moments

  • The defeat is Everton's first at their new ground

The Tottenham defender found the net on two occasions as Spurs prolonged their winning streak in away games in the top division and handed the Toffees their first defeat at their new home.

Everton were undefeated in their five previous fixtures at their new ground at Bramley-Moore Dock, having departed their historic home behind after more than a century at the conclusion of the previous campaign.

But Tottenham's leader the Dutchman struck on two occasions from set-pieces 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 the Brazilian - nodded in a third to put the game to bed.

Jake O'Brien believed he had equalized the scores five minutes after the defender's opener, glancing a bullet header past the Spurs keeper from an Everton corner.

The Portuguese striker, meanwhile, missed a number of opportunities, while Vicario made a series of excellent stops to guarantee the London club went five away games unbeaten in the Premier League.

But the video assistant referee stepped in, advising the match official to check the score on the pitchside monitor and the official decided that Jack Grealish and the attacker were in offside positions and had impeded with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

This victory elevates Thomas Frank's side up to third in the division, a handful of points off north London rivals and leaders the Gunners.

Everton remain 14th and are six points ahead of the relegation zone.

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

Following a drab weekday display in the Champions League against Monaco, where they mustered a mere attempts on goal, Frank chose the French striker in attack instead of former Toffees player the Brazilian.

The new arrival was unable to influence the game before being replaced for Richarlison after 60 minutes on the field, but it emerged he proved unnecessary in the final outcome.

Defender the Dutchman converted into an attacking force to be feared.

Tottenham's 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 head home.

And Ven de Ven - filling in as captain in the Argentine's absence - added his next goal in first-half stoppage time as he outjumped the England keeper to nod in.

The Dutchman was equally outstanding in defence, combining effectively with his defensive colleague as the pair dealt superbly with the numerous deliveries thrown their way by Everton.

Toffees breakdown: Everton missing striker's instinct

The club's recent stadium had been a happy hunting ground, but it appears the novelty may have faded somewhat and supporters headed to the exits after Sarr's third for Spurs.

The break in the team's unbeaten home run will not be a major concern for the manager, but their striker situation are.

Beto and the other striker - the Everton's two recognised strikers - had netted just one league goal between them before the weekend's outing.

And they were unable to add to that poor tally on a damp and dreary night on Merseyside.

The striker's form was summed up when he chose to overhead kick a golden opportunity from near the goal, even with having room and opportunity to reposition for a more conventional attempt that would have tested Vicario.

The substitute, too, was unable to make an impact after replacing the starter in the second half.

It was not for a shortage of chance. Most of the home side's attacks came through the winger and the forward, who tirelessly delivered threatening balls into the Spurs box.

What next for these two sides?

The Toffees: Moyes' men head to Sunderland in the top flight on early November at 8 PM.

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

Dr. David Hall
Dr. David Hall

A tech enthusiast with over a decade of experience in cloud infrastructure and digital transformation strategies.