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

Micky van de Ven celebrating

The Dutch defender became the initial backline player to score twice in a Premier League game for Spurs since the Belgian defender in spring 2013.

Match summary

  • The Spurs defender nods home twice in first half

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

  • Senegalese midfielder nets third in dying moments

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

Micky van de Ven found the net on two occasions as Tottenham extended their unbeaten run on the road in the Premier League and delivered Everton their initial loss at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The Toffees were undefeated in their five previous fixtures at their new ground at the dockside location, having departed Goodison Park behind after 133 years at the conclusion of last season.

But Spurs captain the Dutchman struck on two occasions from set-pieces 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 former Toffees attacker the Brazilian - headed home a third to seal the victory.

Jake O'Brien thought he had levelled the scores a short while after Van de Ven's opener, glancing a powerful header past the Spurs keeper from an set-piece.

The Portuguese striker, meanwhile, missed a handful of chances, while the Italian goalkeeper made a succession of fine saves to guarantee Tottenham went five matches on the road unbeaten in the English top flight.

But the video assistant referee intervened, instructing the match official to check the score on the screen and the official ruled that Jack Grealish and the attacker were in an illegal position and had interfered with the Spurs keeper.

The win elevates the manager's team into third place in the Premier League, a handful of points off north London rivals and table-toppers the Gunners.

Everton stay in 14th position and are half a dozen points ahead of the relegation zone.

Tottenham analysis: The defender fulfils duties at each end of pitch

After a drab weekday performance in the European competition against Monaco, where they mustered a mere attempts on target, the manager chose Randal Kolo Muani in attack instead of ex-Everton forward the Brazilian.

The new arrival was unable to make much of an impact before being substituted for Richarlison after 60 minutes on the field, but it emerged he wasn't needed in the end.

Defender Van de Ven transformed into an offensive threat to be feared.

Spurs' opening strike came from a well-worked corner routine, with the midfielder directing the ball toward the six-yard box for an free the defender to score.

And Ven de Ven - filling in as captain in Cristian Romero's unavailability - added his second in added time as he outjumped Jordan Pickford to nod in.

The Dutchman was equally impressive in defence, combining effectively with his defensive colleague as the duo dealt superbly with the 34 crosses thrown their way by Everton.

Everton analysis: Toffees missing finishing touch

The club'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 Spurs.

The break in Everton's unbeaten home run won't be a massive worry for the manager, but their striker situation will be.

Beto and the other striker - the Toffees' two established centre-forwards - had scored just one league goal between them before Sunday's match.

And they were unable to contribute to that poor tally on a wet and gloomy night on in Liverpool.

The striker's performance was summed up when he opted to bicycle-kick a clear chance from close range, despite having room and time to readjust for a more conventional shot that would have tested the keeper.

The substitute, too, failed to make an impact after coming on for Beto in the second half.

It was not for a shortage of opportunity. The majority of Everton's attacks came through Grealish and Ndiaye, who tirelessly whipped threatening crosses into the Tottenham penalty area.

What next for both teams?

The Toffees: Moyes' men travel to the Stadium of Light in the Premier League on early November at 8 PM.

Spurs: The London club go to St James' Park on Wednesday, 29 October for their next round Carabao Cup match against Newcastle.

Gregory Vazquez
Gregory Vazquez

Elara is a passionate environmentalist and wellness coach, sharing her journey towards sustainable living and mental clarity.