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

Micky van de Ven celebrating

Micky van de Ven became the initial backline player to score twice in a Premier League game for Tottenham since Jan Vertonghen in spring 2013.

Key points

  • Micky Van de Ven heads into the net twice in first half

  • The home side's Jake O'Brien has goal ruled after video check

  • Senegalese midfielder scores final goal in 89th minute

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

The Tottenham defender scored twice as Spurs prolonged their winning streak on the road in the top division and handed Everton their first defeat at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The Toffees were unbeaten in their five previous fixtures at their new ground at Bramley-Moore Dock, having departed their historic home 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 place their impressive record at risk, and they were unable to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by former Toffees attacker the Brazilian - nodded in a third to put the game to bed.

Jake O'Brien thought he had levelled the tally a short while after the defender's first goal, glancing a powerful header past the Spurs keeper from an Everton corner.

Beto, meanwhile, failed to convert a handful of chances, while Vicario made a series of excellent stops to guarantee Tottenham went five matches on the road without defeat in the Premier League.

But the video assistant referee intervened, instructing Craig Pawson to review the score on the screen and the referee decided that the winger and Iliman Ndiaye were in offside positions and had impeded with the Spurs keeper.

This victory elevates the manager's side into third place in the Premier League, five points off local foes and leaders the Gunners.

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

Spurs breakdown: The defender fulfils role at each end of pitch

After a drab midweek display in the European competition against Monaco, where they managed a mere two shots on goal, the manager chose Randal Kolo Muani in attack instead of ex-Everton forward Richarlison.

The summer signing was unable to influence the game before being replaced for Richarlison after 60 minutes on the field, but it emerged he proved unnecessary in the final outcome.

Defender Van de Ven converted into an attacking force to be reckoned with.

Spurs' first goal came from a cleverly executed set-piece play, with the midfielder directing the ball back across the six-yard box for an unmarked Van de Ven to score.

And Ven de Ven - filling in as captain in Cristian Romero's absence - notched his next goal in added time as he outjumped the England keeper to head home.

The Dutchman was just as impressive in defence, partnering effectively with his defensive colleague as the pair handled superbly with the 34 crosses thrown their way by the opposition.

Toffees breakdown: Everton lacking finishing touch

Everton's new home had been a fortress, but it seems the freshness may have faded slightly and fans headed to the gates after Sarr's third for Tottenham.

The end in Everton's winning streak at home won't be a massive concern for David Moyes, but their attacking woes are.

Beto and the other striker - the Everton's two established strikers - had netted only a single goal between them before the weekend's outing.

And they were failed to add to that miserable record on a damp and dreary evening on Merseyside.

The striker's performance was epitomized when he opted to overhead kick a golden opportunity from near the goal, despite having space and time to readjust for a simpler shot that would have challenged Vicario.

Barry, too, was unable to make an impact after replacing Beto in the 65th minute.

It wasn't for a shortage of opportunity. The majority of Everton's offensive moves came through Grealish and Ndiaye, who tirelessly whipped threatening crosses into the Tottenham box.

What next for these two sides?

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

Spurs: The London club travel to Newcastle's ground on Wednesday, 29 October for their next round League Cup match against the Magpies.

Ashley Fox
Ashley Fox

A tech journalist and innovation strategist with over a decade of experience covering emerging technologies and digital trends.