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

Micky van de Ven celebrating

Micky van de Ven became the initial defender to score twice in a Premier League match for Spurs since the Belgian defender in March 2013.

Match summary

  • The Spurs defender nods home twice in first half

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

  • Pape Matar Sarr nets final goal in 89th minute

  • The defeat is Everton's initial at Hill Dickinson Stadium

Micky van de Ven scored twice as Tottenham extended their winning streak in away games in the top division and handed the Toffees their first defeat at their new home.

Everton were unbeaten in their last five matches at their new ground at the dockside location, having left Goodison Park behind after more than a century at the conclusion of the previous campaign.

But Spurs captain the Dutchman struck on two occasions from corners in the opening 45 minutes to put their strong form at jeopardy, and they were failed to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by former Toffees attacker Richarlison - headed home a final goal to put the game to bed.

Jake O'Brien believed he had equalized the tally a short while after the defender's first goal, glancing a powerful header past Guglielmo Vicario from an set-piece.

Beto, meanwhile, missed a number of chances, while Vicario made a series of fine stops to ensure the London club went five away games without defeat in the Premier League.

But the VAR intervened, instructing Craig Pawson to review the score on the pitchside monitor and the official decided that the winger and Iliman Ndiaye were in an illegal position and had interfered with the Spurs keeper.

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

The Merseyside club stay 14th and are six points clear of the relegation zone.

Tottenham analysis: Van de Ven excels in duties at both ends of pitch

Following a drab midweek performance in the European competition against Monaco, where they mustered a only two shots on target, Frank opted for Randal Kolo Muani up front instead of former Toffees player Richarlison.

The summer signing was unable to influence the game before being replaced for Richarlison after an hour on the field, but it turns out he proved unnecessary in the end.

Defender the Dutchman transformed into an offensive threat to be feared.

Tottenham's opening strike came from a cleverly executed corner routine, with Rodrigo Bentancur heading the ball toward the face of goal for an unmarked the defender to score.

And Ven de Ven - stepping up as skipper in the Argentine's unavailability - notched his next goal in added time as he rose above the England keeper to nod in.

Van de Ven was just as outstanding in defence, partnering well with Kevin Danso as the duo handled excellently with the 34 crosses sent their way by Everton.

Everton analysis: Toffees missing finishing touch

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

The break in Everton's unbeaten home run will not be a major worry for the manager, but their attacking woes will be.

Beto and Thierno Barry - the Toffees' pair of recognised strikers - had netted just one league goal combined before Sunday's outing.

And they were failed to add to that poor tally on a wet and gloomy evening on Merseyside.

Beto's form was epitomized when he opted to bicycle-kick a clear chance from near the goal, despite having space and opportunity to reposition for a simpler attempt that would have challenged Vicario.

The substitute, as well, failed to influence the game after replacing the starter in the 65th minute.

It was not for a lack of chance. Most of Everton's offensive moves came through the winger and Ndiaye, who tirelessly delivered threatening crosses into the Spurs penalty area.

Upcoming fixtures for both teams?

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

Tottenham: The London club travel to St James' Park on Wednesday, 29 October for their next round Carabao Cup match against the Magpies.

John Giles
John Giles

A tech enthusiast and business strategist with over a decade of experience in digital transformation and startup consulting.