Van de Ven Brace Halts The Toffees' Unbeaten Streak at New Home Ground

Micky van de Ven celebrating

Micky van de Ven emerged as the initial backline player to net two goals in a Premier League game for Tottenham since the Belgian defender in March 2013.

At a glance

  • The Spurs defender heads into the net two times in opening period

  • Everton's defender has goal disallowed after video check

  • Senegalese midfielder nets third in dying moments

  • This loss is Everton's first at their new ground

Micky van de Ven found the net twice as Spurs prolonged their winning streak on the road in the top division and handed Everton their initial loss at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton were unbeaten in their last five matches at their recently opened stadium at the dockside location, 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 corners in the opening 45 minutes to put their impressive record at jeopardy, and they were unable to mount a comeback before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by ex-Everton forward the Brazilian - headed home a final goal to put the game to bed.

The Everton defender believed he had levelled the scores a short while after Van de Ven's opener, directing a powerful header past Guglielmo Vicario from an Everton corner.

The Portuguese striker, in the meantime, failed to convert a number of opportunities, while Vicario made a series of excellent saves to ensure Tottenham went five matches on the road unbeaten in the Premier League.

But the VAR intervened, instructing the match official to check the goal on the screen and the referee ruled that Jack Grealish and the attacker were in an illegal position and had impeded with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

This victory elevates Thomas Frank's side up to third in the Premier League, five points off north London rivals and table-toppers the Gunners.

The Merseyside club stay 14th and are half a dozen points clear of the drop zone.

Spurs breakdown: Van de Ven fulfils duties at each end of the field

After a uninspiring weekday display in the European competition against Monaco, where they mustered a only attempts on target, Frank chose Randal Kolo Muani in attack instead of former Toffees player the Brazilian.

The new arrival was unable to make much of an impact before being substituted for Richarlison after an hour on the pitch, but it turns out he wasn't needed in the end.

Defender the Dutchman transformed into an offensive threat to be reckoned with.

Spurs' first goal came from a well-worked set-piece play, with Rodrigo Bentancur directing the ball toward the six-yard box for an free Van de Ven to head home.

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

The Dutchman was equally outstanding in defence, combining well with Kevin Danso as the duo dealt superbly with the 34 crosses sent their way by Everton.

Toffees breakdown: Toffees lacking striker's instinct

Everton's recent stadium had been a happy hunting ground, but it appears the novelty may have worn off somewhat and supporters headed to the exits after the midfielder's third for Tottenham.

The end in Everton's winning streak at home won't be a major worry for the manager, but their attacking woes are.

Beto and Thierno Barry - the Toffees' two established centre-forwards - had scored just a single goal combined before the weekend's match.

And they were failed to contribute to that miserable record on a damp and dreary evening on in Liverpool.

Beto's form was summed up when he opted to overhead kick a clear chance from near the goal, even with having space and opportunity to readjust for a simpler shot that would have challenged the keeper.

The substitute, too, was unable to influence the game after coming on for the starter in the 65th minute.

It was not for a lack of opportunity. The majority of Everton's attacks came through Grealish and the forward, who tirelessly delivered dangerous balls into the Spurs penalty area.

Upcoming fixtures for these two sides?

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

Tottenham: The London club travel to Newcastle's ground on late October for their next round Carabao Cup match against the Magpies.

Brian Gonzalez
Brian Gonzalez

A passionate writer and digital storyteller with a knack for turning everyday moments into engaging narratives.