Micky van de Ven Brace Halts Everton's Run at New Stadium

Micky van de Ven celebrating

The Dutch defender emerged as the first defender to net twice in a English top-flight match for Tottenham since the Belgian defender in spring 2013.

Key points

  • Micky Van de Ven heads home two times in opening period

  • Everton's defender has goal disallowed after VAR review

  • Senegalese midfielder scores third in dying moments

  • The defeat is the Merseyside club's first at their new ground

Micky van de Ven found the net on two occasions as Tottenham prolonged their winning streak in away games in the Premier League and handed Everton their initial loss at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton were unbeaten 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 the previous campaign.

But Spurs captain the Dutchman struck twice from corners in the first half to place their strong form at jeopardy, and they were unable to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - assisted by former Toffees attacker the Brazilian - nodded in a final goal to put the game to bed.

The Everton defender believed he had levelled the tally a short while after the defender's opener, directing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an Everton corner.

The Portuguese striker, meanwhile, missed a handful of chances, while Vicario made a succession of excellent stops to ensure the London club went five away games without defeat in the Premier League.

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

The win elevates Thomas Frank's side into third place in the division, five points off local foes and table-toppers Arsenal.

The Merseyside club remain in 14th position and sit half a dozen points clear of the drop zone.

Spurs breakdown: The defender excels in duties at both ends of pitch

After a drab weekday performance in the European competition against the French side, where they mustered a only two shots on goal, Frank opted for Randal Kolo Muani in attack instead of former Toffees player Richarlison.

The new arrival was unable to make much of an impact before being replaced for the substitute after 60 minutes on the field, but it turns out he proved unnecessary in the end.

Centre-back the Dutchman converted into an offensive threat to be reckoned with.

Tottenham's opening strike came from a well-worked set-piece play, with Rodrigo Bentancur heading the ball toward the face of goal for an unmarked the defender to score.

And the captain - filling in as skipper in the Argentine's unavailability - notched his next goal in first-half stoppage time as he outjumped Jordan Pickford to head home.

Van de Ven was equally impressive in defensive duties, partnering well with Kevin Danso as the pair dealt excellently with the 34 crosses thrown their way by Everton.

Toffees breakdown: Toffees lacking striker's instinct

The club's recent stadium had been a happy hunting ground, but it seems the novelty may have worn off slightly and supporters flocked to the exits after Sarr's third for Spurs.

The end in the team's winning streak at home won't be a major worry for David Moyes, but their striker situation are.

The forward and Thierno Barry - the Toffees' pair of recognised strikers - had scored only one league goal between them before the weekend's outing.

And they were unable to contribute to that miserable tally on a damp and dreary evening on Merseyside.

The striker's performance was epitomized when he opted to bicycle-kick a clear chance from close range, despite having room and opportunity to reposition for a simpler attempt that would have tested the keeper.

Barry, as well, was unable to influence the game after replacing Beto in the second half.

It wasn't for a shortage of opportunity. Most of the home side's attacks came through Grealish and Ndiaye, who tirelessly whipped dangerous crosses into the Tottenham penalty area.

Upcoming fixtures for both teams?

Everton: The team travel to the Stadium of Light in the top flight on Monday, 3 November at 8 PM.

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

Cassandra Krause
Cassandra Krause

A tech journalist and digital strategist with over a decade of experience covering emerging technologies and their impact on society.