Micky van de Ven Brace 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 twice in a Premier League match for Spurs since Jan Vertonghen in March 2013.

Key points

  • Micky Van de Ven nods home two times in first half

  • The home side's Jake O'Brien has goal disallowed after VAR review

  • Pape Matar Sarr nets third in 89th minute

  • This loss is the Merseyside club's initial at Hill Dickinson Stadium

Micky van de Ven scored twice as Spurs extended their winning streak in away games in the Premier League and delivered Everton their initial loss at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The Toffees were unbeaten in their last five matches at their new ground at Bramley-Moore Dock, having departed their historic home behind after 133 years at the conclusion of last season.

But Spurs captain Van de Ven pounced on two occasions from set-pieces in the first half to place their strong form at jeopardy, and they were failed to mount a comeback before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by ex-Everton forward Richarlison - nodded in a final goal to seal the victory.

Jake O'Brien thought he had equalized the scores a short while after Van de Ven's opener, glancing a powerful header past Guglielmo Vicario from an set-piece.

Beto, meanwhile, missed a number of chances, while the Italian goalkeeper made a succession of excellent stops to ensure Tottenham went five away games unbeaten in the Premier League.

But the video assistant referee stepped in, instructing the match official to review the goal on the screen and the official decided that the winger and the attacker were in an illegal position and had impeded with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

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

The Merseyside club stay in 14th position and sit six points clear of the relegation zone.

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

Following a drab weekday performance in the European competition against Monaco, where they managed a mere attempts on target, the manager chose Randal Kolo Muani in attack instead of former Toffees player Richarlison.

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

Defender Van de Ven converted into an offensive threat to be reckoned with.

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

And the captain - filling in as skipper in the Argentine's unavailability - added his second in first-half stoppage time as he outjumped the England keeper to head home.

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

Toffees breakdown: Toffees missing finishing touch

Everton's new home had been a fortress, but it appears the freshness may have worn off slightly and supporters flocked to the gates after Sarr's final goal for Spurs.

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

The forward and Thierno Barry - the Everton's two established centre-forwards - had scored only one league goal between them before Sunday's match.

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

The striker's performance was summed up when he opted to overhead kick a golden opportunity from close range, even with having room and opportunity to reposition for a more conventional attempt that would have challenged the keeper.

Barry, too, failed to make an impact after replacing the starter in the second half.

It was not for a shortage of opportunity. The majority of the home side's offensive moves came through Grealish and the forward, who tirelessly whipped threatening crosses into the Tottenham penalty area.

What next for both teams?

The Toffees: The team travel to Sunderland in the top flight on early November at 8 PM.

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

Glenn Morgan
Glenn Morgan

An art historian and curator passionate about modern art movements and cultural narratives.