Micky van de Ven Double Ends The Toffees' Unbeaten Streak at Brand New Home Ground

Micky van de Ven celebrating

The Dutch defender became the initial backline player to score twice in a English top-flight match for Tottenham since the Belgian defender in March 2013.

Match summary

  • Micky Van de Ven nods into the net twice in opening period

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

  • Pape Matar Sarr scores third in 89th minute

  • This loss is the Merseyside club's first at Hill Dickinson Stadium

The Tottenham defender scored twice as Tottenham prolonged their unbeaten run in away games in the Premier League and delivered the Toffees their first defeat at their new home.

Everton were unbeaten in their five previous fixtures at their new ground at the dockside location, having left their historic home behind after 133 years at the end of the previous campaign.

But Spurs captain the Dutchman pounced on two occasions from set-pieces in the opening 45 minutes to put their strong form at jeopardy, and they were failed to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - assisted by ex-Everton forward Richarlison - headed home a third to put the game to bed.

Jake O'Brien thought he had equalized the scores a short while after Van de Ven's first goal, glancing a powerful header past Guglielmo Vicario from an set-piece.

Beto, meanwhile, failed to convert a handful of opportunities, while Vicario made a succession of fine stops to ensure Tottenham went five away games without defeat 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 decided that Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye were in offside positions and had impeded with the Spurs keeper.

The win elevates Thomas Frank's side into third place in the Premier League, a handful of points off north London rivals and table-toppers Arsenal.

Everton remain 14th and are half a dozen points clear of the relegation zone.

Spurs breakdown: Van de Ven fulfils role at both ends of pitch

After a uninspiring midweek display in the European competition against Monaco, where they mustered a only two shots on goal, Frank opted for the French striker up front instead of former Toffees player the Brazilian.

The summer signing was failed to make much of an impact before being replaced for the substitute after an hour on the field, but it emerged he proved unnecessary in the end.

Defender the Dutchman transformed 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 free Van de Ven to head home.

And the captain - stepping up as captain in Cristian Romero's absence - added his second in first-half stoppage time as he rose above Jordan Pickford to nod in.

The Dutchman was just as outstanding in defensive duties, combining well with Kevin Danso as the pair handled excellently with the 34 crosses thrown their way by the opposition.

Toffees breakdown: Toffees lacking striker's instinct

Everton's new home had been a happy hunting ground, but it seems the freshness may have faded slightly and fans headed to the gates after the midfielder's third for Tottenham.

The break in the team's winning streak at home will not be a massive concern for David Moyes, but their striker situation will be.

Beto and Thierno Barry - the Toffees' pair of recognised strikers - had scored only one league goal combined before the weekend's match.

And they were unable to contribute to that miserable tally on a damp and dreary night on in Liverpool.

Beto's form was epitomized when he opted to bicycle-kick a golden opportunity from near the goal, despite having space and opportunity to readjust for a simpler attempt that would have challenged the keeper.

Barry, as well, failed to make an impact after coming on for the starter in the second half.

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

Upcoming fixtures for these two sides?

The Toffees: Moyes' men head to Sunderland in the Premier League on early November at 20:00 GMT.

Spurs: Spurs go to St James' Park on late October for their fourth-round League Cup tie against the Magpies.

Melinda Lane
Melinda Lane

Elin is a business strategist with over a decade of experience in helping startups scale and established companies innovate in the Nordic market.

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