Micky van de Ven Double Halts The Toffees' Unbeaten Streak at New Stadium

Micky van de Ven celebrating

Micky van de Ven became the initial defender to net twice in a English top-flight game for Tottenham since the Belgian defender in March 2013.

Key points

  • The Spurs defender nods home twice in first half

  • The home side's Jake O'Brien has equalizer disallowed after video check

  • Senegalese midfielder nets third in 89th minute

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

Micky van de Ven found the net on two occasions as Spurs prolonged their unbeaten run on the road in the top division and handed the Toffees their initial loss at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The Toffees were unbeaten in their last five matches at their recently opened stadium at the dockside location, having left their historic home behind after 133 years at the end of last season.

But Tottenham's leader the Dutchman struck twice from set-pieces in the first half to place their strong form 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 believed he had equalized the scores a short while after the defender's first goal, directing a powerful header past the Spurs keeper from an set-piece.

The Portuguese striker, meanwhile, failed to convert a number of opportunities, while the Italian goalkeeper made a succession of excellent stops to guarantee Tottenham went five matches on the road without defeat in the Premier League.

But the VAR stepped in, instructing the match official to check the goal on the screen and the official ruled that Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye were in an illegal position and had impeded with the Spurs keeper.

The win elevates the manager's side up to third in the division, five points off local foes and table-toppers Arsenal.

Everton stay in 14th position and are six points ahead of the relegation zone.

Tottenham analysis: Van de Ven fulfils duties at each end of the field

After a drab weekday performance in the European competition against Monaco, where they managed a only two shots on target, the manager opted for the French striker in attack instead of ex-Everton forward Richarlison.

The new arrival was failed to make much of an impact before being substituted for the substitute after 60 minutes on the pitch, but it turns out he proved unnecessary in the final outcome.

Centre-back Van de Ven transformed into an offensive threat to be reckoned with.

Tottenham's opening strike came from a cleverly executed set-piece play, with Rodrigo Bentancur heading the ball toward the face of goal for an unmarked Van de Ven to score.

And Ven de Ven - stepping up as skipper in Cristian Romero's absence - notched his next goal in added time as he rose above the England keeper to head home.

The Dutchman was equally impressive in defensive duties, combining effectively with his defensive colleague as the duo handled excellently with the numerous deliveries sent their way by Everton.

Everton analysis: Toffees lacking finishing touch

Everton's recent stadium had been a happy hunting ground, but it seems the freshness may have faded somewhat and fans flocked to the exits after Sarr's third for Tottenham.

The break in the team's unbeaten home run won't be a massive concern for David Moyes, but their striker situation will be.

The forward and Thierno Barry - the Toffees' two recognised centre-forwards - had scored just one league goal between them before Sunday's match.

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

The striker's form was summed up when he opted to bicycle-kick a clear chance from near the goal, even with having room and opportunity to reposition for a simpler attempt that would have challenged Vicario.

The substitute, too, was unable to make an impact after coming on for Beto in the 65th minute.

It wasn't for a lack of opportunity. The majority of Everton's attacks came through the winger and Ndiaye, who relentlessly delivered dangerous balls into the Spurs box.

Upcoming fixtures for these two sides?

Everton: The team head to Sunderland in the top flight on Monday, 3 November at 20:00 GMT.

Spurs: The London club travel to Newcastle's ground on late October for their fourth-round Carabao Cup tie against the Magpies.

Amy Ortiz
Amy Ortiz

Elena Voss is a digital strategist and content creator with a passion for helping others build successful online ventures.