Micky van de Ven Brace Halts Everton's Unbeaten Streak at Brand New Stadium

Micky van de Ven celebrating

The Dutch defender became the first backline player to net two goals in a Premier League match for Spurs since Jan Vertonghen in spring 2013.

Match summary

  • The Spurs defender heads home twice in first half

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

  • Senegalese midfielder nets final goal in dying moments

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

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

The Toffees were undefeated in their five previous fixtures at their new ground at the dockside location, having left their historic home behind after 133 years at the end of the previous campaign.

But Spurs captain the Dutchman struck twice from corners in the first half to put their impressive record at jeopardy, and they were failed to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by ex-Everton forward the Brazilian - headed home a final goal to put the game to bed.

The Everton defender believed he had levelled the tally a short while after Van de Ven's opener, glancing a powerful header past Guglielmo Vicario from an Everton corner.

The Portuguese striker, in the meantime, missed a handful of opportunities, while the Italian goalkeeper made a succession of excellent stops to guarantee Tottenham went five away games unbeaten in the English top flight.

But the VAR stepped in, advising the match official to review the goal on the screen and the official decided that Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye were in an illegal position and had impeded with the Spurs keeper.

The win moves Thomas Frank's side up to third in the Premier League, five points off local foes and leaders Arsenal.

Everton remain 14th and sit six points clear of the relegation zone.

Tottenham analysis: Van de Ven excels in role at each end of pitch

After a uninspiring weekday performance in the Champions League against Monaco, where they mustered a only attempts on goal, Frank chose the French striker up front instead of former Toffees player the Brazilian.

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

Centre-back the Dutchman converted into an attacking force to be reckoned with.

Spurs' first goal came from a cleverly executed set-piece play, with Rodrigo Bentancur directing the ball toward the six-yard box for an free the defender to score.

And the captain - filling in as skipper in the Argentine's unavailability - added his next goal in first-half stoppage time as he rose above the England keeper to nod in.

Van de Ven was equally impressive in defence, combining effectively with his defensive colleague as the pair handled superbly with the 34 crosses sent their way by the opposition.

Toffees breakdown: Everton missing finishing touch

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

The end in the team's winning streak at home will not be a major worry for David Moyes, but their attacking woes will be.

Beto and the other striker - the Everton's two recognised centre-forwards - had scored just one league goal combined before Sunday's outing.

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

Beto's performance was epitomized when he chose to bicycle-kick a clear chance from near the goal, even with having space and time to reposition for a simpler shot that would have tested the keeper.

The substitute, as well, was unable to make an impact after coming on for Beto in the 65th minute.

It was not for a shortage of opportunity. The majority of Everton's offensive moves came through the winger and the forward, who relentlessly delivered threatening crosses into the Tottenham box.

What next for these two sides?

Everton: Moyes' men head to the Stadium of Light in the Premier League on early November at 8 PM.

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

David Cobb
David Cobb

Lena Visser is a game designer and writer passionate about storytelling in video games.