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

Micky van de Ven celebrating

The Dutch defender emerged as the first defender to net two goals in a Premier League match for Spurs since Jan Vertonghen in March 2013.

Match summary

  • The Spurs defender heads into the net twice in opening period

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

  • Senegalese midfielder nets third 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 extended their unbeaten run on the road in the top division and delivered the Toffees their initial loss at their new home.

The Toffees were unbeaten in their five previous fixtures at their new ground at Bramley-Moore Dock, having departed Goodison Park behind after 133 years at the end of the previous campaign.

But Tottenham's leader Van de Ven pounced twice from set-pieces in the first half to put their impressive record at risk, and they were failed to mount a comeback before Pape Matar Sarr - assisted by former Toffees attacker the Brazilian - nodded in a final goal to put the game to bed.

Jake O'Brien thought he had levelled the tally five minutes after Van de Ven's opener, glancing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an Everton corner.

Beto, meanwhile, failed to convert a number of chances, while the Italian goalkeeper made a series of fine stops to ensure the London club went five away games unbeaten in the Premier League.

But the video assistant referee stepped in, instructing Craig Pawson to check the goal on the pitchside monitor and the official decided that the winger and the attacker were in an illegal position and had interfered with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

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

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

Spurs breakdown: The defender fulfils role at each end of the field

Following a uninspiring midweek performance in the European competition against Monaco, where they managed a only attempts on target, Frank chose Randal Kolo Muani up front instead of former Toffees player the Brazilian.

The summer signing was failed to make much of an impact before being substituted for Richarlison after an hour on the field, but it emerged he wasn't needed in the final outcome.

Defender the Dutchman converted into an attacking force to be feared.

Spurs' first goal came from a cleverly executed set-piece play, with the midfielder directing the ball toward the face of goal for an free the defender to score.

And Ven de Ven - stepping up as skipper in Cristian Romero's absence - added his second in added time as he outjumped the England keeper to nod in.

Van de Ven was just as impressive in defensive duties, partnering effectively with his defensive colleague as the pair handled excellently with the 34 crosses thrown their way by Everton.

Everton analysis: Toffees lacking finishing touch

The club's new home had been a fortress, but it seems the novelty may have faded somewhat and fans flocked to the exits after the midfielder's final goal for Spurs.

The break in the team's unbeaten home run won't be a major worry for David Moyes, but their striker situation are.

The forward and the other striker - the Everton's two recognised strikers - had netted just a single goal combined before Sunday's outing.

And they were unable to contribute to that miserable record on a wet and gloomy night on Merseyside.

The striker's form was epitomized when he chose to overhead kick a golden opportunity from near the goal, even with having room and time to reposition for a more conventional shot that would have tested the keeper.

The substitute, too, was unable to make an impact after coming on for the starter in the second half.

It was not for a shortage of chance. The majority of the home side's attacks came through Grealish and Ndiaye, who tirelessly whipped dangerous balls into the Tottenham box.

Upcoming fixtures for these two sides?

The Toffees: Moyes' men head to the Stadium of Light in the top flight on Monday, 3 November at 20:00 GMT.

Spurs: The London club travel to St James' Park on late October for their fourth-round Carabao Cup tie against the Magpies.

Melanie Kim
Melanie Kim

A seasoned betting analyst with over a decade of experience in sports wagering and odds forecasting.