Van de Ven Brace Halts Everton's Unbeaten Streak at New Stadium

Micky van de Ven celebrating

Micky van de Ven emerged as the initial backline player to score two goals in a Premier League match for Spurs since Jan Vertonghen in spring 2013.

Match summary

  • Micky Van de Ven nods home two times in first half

  • Everton's Jake O'Brien has equalizer disallowed after video check

  • Pape Matar Sarr nets third in 89th minute

  • This loss is Everton's first at their new ground

The Tottenham defender scored twice as Spurs prolonged their unbeaten run on the road in the top division and delivered Everton their first defeat at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The Toffees were unbeaten in their five previous fixtures at their recently opened stadium at the dockside location, having left Goodison Park behind after more than a century at the end of last season.

But Tottenham's leader Van de Ven pounced twice from corners in the opening 45 minutes to put their impressive record at risk, and they were unable to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - assisted by ex-Everton forward the Brazilian - headed home a third to seal the victory.

The Everton defender thought he had equalized the scores five minutes after the defender's opener, directing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an Everton corner.

The Portuguese striker, meanwhile, failed to convert a handful of chances, while Vicario made a series of fine saves to guarantee Tottenham went five matches on the road without defeat in the Premier League.

But the VAR intervened, instructing the match official to review the goal on the pitchside monitor and the referee decided that Jack Grealish and the attacker were in offside positions and had impeded with the Spurs keeper.

The win moves the manager's team up to third in the division, a handful of points off local foes and table-toppers Arsenal.

The Merseyside club stay in 14th position and are half a dozen points clear of the drop zone.

Tottenham analysis: The defender fulfils duties at each end of the field

Following a uninspiring midweek display in the European competition against Monaco, where they mustered a only attempts on goal, the manager opted for Randal Kolo Muani up front instead of ex-Everton forward the Brazilian.

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

Centre-back Van de Ven converted into an offensive threat to be feared.

Tottenham's first goal came from a well-worked corner routine, with Rodrigo Bentancur heading the ball back across the six-yard box for an free Van de Ven to head home.

And Ven de Ven - stepping up as skipper in Cristian Romero's absence - added his next goal in first-half stoppage time as he rose above Jordan Pickford to head home.

Van de Ven was equally outstanding in defence, partnering well with Kevin Danso as the duo dealt excellently with the 34 crosses sent their way by Everton.

Everton analysis: Toffees missing striker's instinct

The club's new home had been a fortress, but it seems the freshness may have faded somewhat and supporters flocked to the exits after Sarr's final goal for Tottenham.

The break in Everton's winning streak at home won't be a major worry for David Moyes, but their striker situation are.

Beto and Thierno Barry - the Everton's pair of established strikers - had netted only one league goal between them before the weekend's match.

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

The striker's form was summed up when he opted to overhead kick a golden opportunity from close range, despite having room and time to readjust for a more conventional attempt that would have challenged the keeper.

Barry, as well, was unable to influence the game after coming on for Beto in the 65th minute.

It wasn't for a lack of chance. The majority of the home side's offensive moves came through Grealish and the forward, who relentlessly whipped threatening balls into the Spurs penalty area.

Upcoming fixtures for these two sides?

The Toffees: The team head to the Stadium of Light in the top flight on early November at 8 PM.

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

Greg Harris
Greg Harris

Elena Vance is a seasoned international business strategist with over 15 years of experience advising UK firms on global expansion and market entry strategies.