Micky van de Ven Double Halts Everton's Unbeaten Streak at New Home Ground

Micky van de Ven celebrating

Micky van de Ven emerged as the initial defender to score two goals in a Premier League game for Tottenham since Jan Vertonghen in March 2013.

Match summary

  • Micky Van de Ven heads home twice in opening period

  • The home side's defender has equalizer disallowed after VAR review

  • Senegalese midfielder nets final goal in 89th minute

  • This loss is the Merseyside club's initial at their new ground

The Tottenham defender found the net twice as Tottenham extended their unbeaten run in away games in the Premier League and delivered the Toffees their initial loss at their new home.

The Toffees were unbeaten in their five previous fixtures at their recently opened stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, having left their historic home behind after 133 years at the end of the previous campaign.

But Spurs captain the Dutchman pounced twice from set-pieces in the first half to place their impressive record at risk, and they were failed to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - assisted by former Toffees attacker Richarlison - headed home a final goal to seal the victory.

Jake O'Brien believed he had equalized the scores five minutes after the defender's opener, glancing a powerful header past Guglielmo Vicario from an Everton corner.

The Portuguese striker, meanwhile, missed a handful of opportunities, while the Italian goalkeeper made a series of excellent saves to guarantee the London club went five matches on the road unbeaten in the Premier League.

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

The win elevates Thomas Frank's side up to third in the Premier League, five points off north London rivals and leaders the Gunners.

The Merseyside club remain in 14th position and are six points clear of the drop zone.

Spurs breakdown: The defender fulfils duties at both ends of the field

Following a uninspiring midweek display in the Champions League against Monaco, where they managed a mere two shots on goal, Frank opted for the French striker up front instead of ex-Everton forward Richarlison.

The new arrival was unable to influence the game before being substituted for the substitute after 60 minutes on the pitch, but it emerged he proved unnecessary in the final outcome.

Centre-back Van de Ven transformed into an attacking force to be feared.

Tottenham's opening strike came from a well-worked set-piece play, with Rodrigo Bentancur heading the ball back across the six-yard box for an free Van de Ven to head home.

And Ven de Ven - stepping up as captain in Cristian Romero's absence - notched his second in added time as he outjumped Jordan Pickford to nod in.

The Dutchman was just as impressive in defence, combining well with his defensive colleague as the duo dealt superbly with the numerous deliveries sent their way by Everton.

Everton analysis: Everton lacking finishing touch

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

The end in Everton's unbeaten home run will not be a massive concern for the manager, but their striker situation will be.

Beto and Thierno Barry - the Toffees' pair of recognised centre-forwards - had scored only a single goal between them before Sunday's outing.

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

Beto's performance was epitomized when he opted to overhead kick a clear chance from close range, despite having space and opportunity to readjust for a simpler shot that would have tested the keeper.

Barry, as well, failed to make an impact after coming on for the starter in the 65th minute.

It wasn't for a lack of opportunity. Most of Everton's attacks came through Grealish and Ndiaye, who tirelessly delivered dangerous crosses into the Tottenham box.

What next for these two sides?

Everton: Moyes' men 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 late October for their fourth-round Carabao Cup match against the Magpies.

Joy Wiley
Joy Wiley

A tech journalist with over a decade of experience covering UK digital innovations and gaming culture.