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

Micky van de Ven celebrating

The Dutch defender emerged as the initial backline player to score two goals in a Premier League game for Spurs since the Belgian defender in spring 2013.

At a glance

  • Micky Van de Ven nods home twice in opening period

  • Everton's defender has equalizer disallowed after video check

  • Pape Matar Sarr scores third in dying moments

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

The Tottenham defender found the net twice as Spurs extended their winning streak in away games in the top division and handed the Toffees their first defeat at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton were unbeaten in their five previous fixtures at their recently opened stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, having departed their historic home behind after 133 years at the end of last season.

But Tottenham's leader the Dutchman struck twice from set-pieces in the opening 45 minutes to put their impressive record at jeopardy, and they were failed to mount a comeback before the midfielder - set up by former Toffees attacker Richarlison - nodded in a final goal to put the game to bed.

Jake O'Brien believed he had levelled the tally five minutes after the defender's first goal, glancing a powerful header past the Spurs keeper from an set-piece.

Beto, meanwhile, missed a number of chances, while the Italian goalkeeper made a series of excellent stops to ensure the London club went five matches on the road unbeaten in the English top flight.

But the VAR intervened, instructing the match official to check the goal on the pitchside monitor and the referee decided that the winger and the attacker were in offside positions and had interfered with the Spurs keeper.

The win moves the manager's team up to third in the Premier League, a handful of points off local foes and leaders the Gunners.

The Merseyside club stay 14th and are six points clear of the drop zone.

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

Following a drab weekday display in the European competition against the French side, where they mustered a mere attempts on target, the manager chose Randal Kolo Muani in attack instead of ex-Everton forward the Brazilian.

The new arrival was failed to make much of an impact before being replaced for Richarlison after an hour on the field, but it emerged he proved unnecessary in the final outcome.

Centre-back Van de Ven converted into an attacking force to be feared.

Tottenham's first goal came from a cleverly executed corner routine, with Rodrigo Bentancur heading the ball back across the six-yard box for an unmarked the defender to score.

And Ven de Ven - filling in as captain in Cristian Romero's unavailability - 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 well with his defensive colleague as the duo dealt superbly with the 34 crosses sent their way by Everton.

Everton analysis: Everton lacking striker's instinct

Everton's new home had been a happy hunting ground, but it appears the freshness may have faded somewhat and supporters flocked to the gates after Sarr's third for Tottenham.

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

Beto and Thierno Barry - the Everton's pair of established centre-forwards - had netted only one league goal combined before Sunday's match.

And they were failed to contribute to that miserable record on a wet and gloomy evening on Merseyside.

Beto's form was epitomized when he chose to overhead kick a golden opportunity from near the goal, even with having space and time to reposition for a more conventional attempt that would have challenged the keeper.

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

It wasn't for a shortage of opportunity. The majority of Everton's offensive moves came through Grealish and the forward, who relentlessly whipped dangerous crosses into the Tottenham box.

What next for these two sides?

Everton: Moyes' men travel to Sunderland in the Premier League on early November at 20:00 GMT.

Spurs: The London club go to Newcastle's ground on late October for their next round League Cup match against the Magpies.

Jenny Neal
Jenny Neal

Eleanor is an interior design enthusiast with 10 years of experience curating beautiful living spaces.