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

Micky van de Ven celebrating

The Dutch defender became the initial backline player to score twice in a Premier League game for Spurs since the Belgian defender in spring 2013.

At a glance

  • Micky Van de Ven nods into the net two times in first half

  • The home side's defender has equalizer disallowed after video check

  • Pape Matar Sarr nets final goal in 89th minute

  • This loss is Everton's initial at Hill Dickinson Stadium

Micky van de Ven 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 recently opened stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, having left Goodison Park behind after 133 years at the end of the previous campaign.

But Tottenham's leader Van de Ven pounced on two occasions from corners in the opening 45 minutes to place their strong form at jeopardy, and they were unable to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by ex-Everton forward the Brazilian - headed home a final goal to put the game to bed.

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

The Portuguese striker, meanwhile, failed to convert a number of chances, while the Italian goalkeeper made a succession of fine stops to guarantee the London club went five matches on the road unbeaten in the English top flight.

But the video assistant referee intervened, advising the match official to review the score on the pitchside monitor and the referee ruled that the winger and Iliman Ndiaye were in an illegal position and had interfered with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

This victory elevates Thomas Frank's team into third place in the division, five points off local foes and table-toppers Arsenal.

Everton stay in 14th position and are half a dozen points ahead of the drop zone.

Spurs breakdown: Van de Ven excels in duties at each end of the field

Following a drab weekday performance in the Champions League against the French side, where they mustered a only attempts on goal, the manager opted for the French striker in attack instead of ex-Everton forward the Brazilian.

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

Centre-back the Dutchman transformed 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 the defender to score.

And Ven de Ven - stepping up as captain in the Argentine's absence - notched his second in first-half stoppage time as he outjumped the England keeper to nod in.

Van de Ven was equally outstanding in defence, partnering effectively with his defensive colleague as the pair handled superbly with the 34 crosses thrown their way by Everton.

Everton analysis: Toffees lacking striker's instinct

Everton's recent stadium had been a fortress, but it seems the freshness may have faded slightly and supporters flocked to the exits after Sarr's third for Tottenham.

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

Beto and Thierno Barry - the Everton's pair of recognised strikers - had netted just a single goal between them before Sunday's match.

And they were unable to contribute to that miserable record on a damp and dreary evening on Merseyside.

The striker's performance was summed up when he opted to overhead kick a golden opportunity from near the goal, despite having space and time to readjust for a simpler attempt that would have tested the keeper.

Barry, too, failed to make an impact after coming on for Beto in the 65th minute.

It was not for a lack of chance. Most of the home side's attacks came through Grealish and the forward, who relentlessly whipped threatening crosses into the Spurs penalty area.

Upcoming fixtures for both teams?

Everton: Moyes' men travel to Sunderland in the Premier League on Monday, 3 November at 8 PM.

Tottenham: Spurs go to Newcastle's ground on late October for their fourth-round Carabao Cup tie against Newcastle.

Joseph Garcia
Joseph Garcia

A tech strategist with over a decade of experience in UK innovation ecosystems, specializing in digital transformation and emerging technologies.