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

Micky van de Ven celebrating

Micky van de Ven became the initial defender to score two goals in a English top-flight match for Spurs since the Belgian defender in March 2013.

Match summary

  • Micky Van de Ven heads into the net twice in first half

  • Everton's Jake O'Brien has equalizer ruled after VAR review

  • Senegalese midfielder scores final goal in 89th minute

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

The Tottenham defender scored on two occasions as Spurs prolonged their unbeaten run on the road in the Premier League and handed Everton their first defeat at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton were undefeated in their five previous fixtures at their recently opened stadium at the dockside location, having left their historic home behind after more than a century at the end of the previous campaign.

But Tottenham's leader the Dutchman struck on two occasions from corners in the first half to place their strong form at jeopardy, and they were failed to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by former Toffees attacker Richarlison - nodded in a third to seal the victory.

Jake O'Brien believed he had levelled the tally a short while after Van de Ven's first goal, glancing a bullet header past the Spurs keeper from an set-piece.

The Portuguese striker, in the meantime, missed a number of opportunities, while Vicario made a succession of excellent stops to guarantee the London club went five away games unbeaten in the English top flight.

But the video assistant referee intervened, advising the match official to review the score on the screen and the official ruled that Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye were in offside positions and had interfered with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

This victory elevates the manager's side into third place in the division, a handful of points off local foes and table-toppers the Gunners.

Everton remain 14th and sit half a dozen points clear of the drop zone.

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

Following a uninspiring midweek performance in the European competition against the French side, where they mustered a mere two shots on goal, the manager chose the French striker in attack instead of former Toffees player Richarlison.

The new arrival was failed to influence the game before being substituted for Richarlison after 60 minutes on the field, but it emerged he proved unnecessary in the end.

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

Tottenham's opening strike came from a well-worked corner routine, with Rodrigo Bentancur directing the ball back across the face of goal for an unmarked Van de Ven to head home.

And the captain - filling in as captain in Cristian Romero's absence - notched his second in first-half stoppage time as he outjumped the England keeper to nod in.

The Dutchman was just as impressive in defence, partnering effectively with his defensive colleague as the pair handled superbly with the numerous deliveries thrown their way by the opposition.

Toffees breakdown: Everton missing finishing touch

The club's recent stadium had been a happy hunting ground, but it seems the novelty may have worn off somewhat and fans flocked to the exits after Sarr's third for Spurs.

The break in the team's unbeaten home run won't be a major concern for David Moyes, but their attacking woes will be.

The forward and the other striker - the Everton's pair of recognised strikers - had scored only a single goal combined before Sunday's outing.

And they were unable to add to that poor tally on a wet and gloomy night on Merseyside.

Beto's performance was summed up when he chose to overhead kick a golden opportunity from close range, even with having space and time to reposition for a more conventional shot that would have challenged Vicario.

Barry, too, was unable to influence the game after coming on for the starter in the second half.

It wasn't for a shortage of chance. Most of Everton's attacks came through Grealish and the forward, who tirelessly whipped threatening balls into the Spurs penalty area.

Upcoming fixtures for both teams?

The Toffees: Moyes' men travel to the Stadium of Light in the Premier League on Monday, 3 November at 20:00 GMT.

Tottenham: The London club go to St James' Park on Wednesday, 29 October for their next round League Cup match against Newcastle.

Sarah Aguilar
Sarah Aguilar

A seasoned property developer with over 15 years of experience in UK real estate investments and land acquisitions.