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

Micky van de Ven celebrating

Micky van de Ven emerged as the first backline player to score two goals in a English top-flight game for Spurs since the Belgian defender in March 2013.

Match summary

  • Micky Van de Ven nods home twice in first half

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

  • Senegalese midfielder scores final goal in dying moments

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

The Tottenham defender found the net on two occasions as Tottenham prolonged their unbeaten run in away games in the Premier League and delivered Everton their first defeat at their new home.

Everton were undefeated in their five previous fixtures at their new ground at Bramley-Moore Dock, having left Goodison Park behind after more than a century at the end of the previous campaign.

But Spurs captain the Dutchman struck twice from set-pieces in the first half to put their strong form at jeopardy, and they were unable to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by former Toffees attacker Richarlison - nodded in a third to seal the victory.

The Everton defender believed he had equalized the tally a short while after Van de Ven's opener, directing a powerful header past the Spurs keeper from an Everton corner.

Beto, meanwhile, failed to convert a handful of opportunities, while the Italian goalkeeper made a succession of excellent stops to guarantee the London club went five matches on the road unbeaten in the Premier League.

But the VAR intervened, advising the match official to review the score on the screen and the referee decided that Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye were in an illegal position and had interfered with the Spurs keeper.

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

Everton remain in 14th position and sit six points ahead of the relegation zone.

Tottenham analysis: The defender excels in duties at each end of pitch

After a drab midweek performance in the Champions League against Monaco, where they mustered a only two shots on target, the manager chose Randal Kolo Muani in attack instead of former Toffees player the Brazilian.

The summer signing was unable to make much of an impact before being substituted for the substitute after 60 minutes on the pitch, but it turns out he wasn't needed in the end.

Defender Van de Ven converted into an offensive threat to be reckoned with.

Tottenham's first goal came from a cleverly executed corner routine, with the midfielder heading the ball toward the six-yard box for an free Van de Ven to head home.

And the captain - filling in as skipper in Cristian Romero's unavailability - notched his second in added time as he outjumped the England keeper to head home.

Van de Ven was equally outstanding in defensive duties, partnering effectively with his defensive colleague as the pair handled superbly with the numerous deliveries sent their way by the opposition.

Toffees breakdown: Everton missing striker's instinct

Everton's new home had been a fortress, but it seems the freshness may have worn off slightly and supporters flocked to the gates after the midfielder's final goal for Spurs.

The end in the team's unbeaten home run will not be a major worry for the manager, but their attacking woes will be.

The forward and Thierno Barry - the Toffees' two established centre-forwards - had scored only a single goal combined before Sunday's match.

And they were unable to contribute to that miserable tally on a wet and gloomy evening on Merseyside.

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 influence the game after replacing Beto in the 65th minute.

It wasn't for a lack of chance. Most of the home side's offensive moves came through the winger and Ndiaye, who relentlessly whipped dangerous crosses into the Spurs penalty area.

Upcoming fixtures for both teams?

Everton: The team head to Sunderland in the top flight on early November at 8 PM.

Tottenham: Spurs travel to St James' Park on late October for their next round Carabao Cup tie against the Magpies.

Christopher Cisneros
Christopher Cisneros

A digital strategist with over 10 years of experience in SEO and content marketing, passionate about helping businesses thrive online.