Van de Ven Double Ends Everton's Run at Brand New Home Ground

Micky van de Ven celebrating

Micky van de Ven emerged as the initial backline player to score two goals in a Premier League match for Spurs since the Belgian defender in March 2013.

Key points

  • The Spurs defender nods into the net twice in opening period

  • Everton's Jake O'Brien has equalizer disallowed after video check

  • Pape Matar Sarr nets final goal in dying moments

  • The defeat is Everton's first at their new ground

Micky van de Ven scored twice as Tottenham prolonged their winning streak in away games in the Premier League and handed the Toffees their first defeat at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton were unbeaten in their five previous fixtures at their recently opened stadium at the dockside location, having left their historic home behind after more than a century at the end of last season.

But Tottenham's leader Van de Ven struck on two occasions from set-pieces in the first half to place their strong form at jeopardy, and they were unable to mount a comeback before the midfielder - set up by former Toffees attacker the Brazilian - headed home a final goal to seal the victory.

The Everton defender thought he had equalized the tally a short while after the defender's first goal, glancing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an set-piece.

Beto, meanwhile, failed to convert a handful of chances, while the Italian goalkeeper made a series of excellent stops to ensure the London club went five matches on the road unbeaten in the Premier League.

But the VAR intervened, instructing the match official to review the score on the screen and the referee ruled that Jack Grealish and the attacker were in an illegal position and had impeded with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

This victory moves Thomas Frank's team into third place in the Premier League, five points off local foes and table-toppers the Gunners.

Everton remain 14th and are half a dozen points clear of the drop zone.

Tottenham analysis: The defender fulfils role at both ends of pitch

After a uninspiring 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 ex-Everton forward the Brazilian.

The summer signing was failed to influence the game before being replaced for the substitute after 60 minutes on the pitch, but it turns out he wasn't needed in the end.

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

Spurs' opening strike came from a cleverly executed set-piece play, with the midfielder directing the ball back across the six-yard box for an unmarked the defender to score.

And Ven de Ven - filling in as skipper in Cristian Romero's unavailability - added his next goal in added time as he outjumped the England keeper to nod in.

Van de Ven was equally outstanding in defensive duties, partnering well with his defensive colleague as the pair handled superbly with the 34 crosses sent their way by the opposition.

Everton analysis: Toffees missing finishing touch

The club's recent stadium had been a fortress, but it seems the freshness may have worn off slightly and supporters flocked to the exits 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.

The forward and the other striker - the Toffees' pair of established strikers - had scored just a single goal between them before Sunday's match.

And they were unable to add to that poor record on a wet and gloomy night on Merseyside.

Beto's form was summed up when he opted to bicycle-kick a clear chance from close range, even with having room and opportunity to reposition for a simpler shot that would have tested the keeper.

The substitute, too, failed to make an impact after coming on for the starter in the 65th minute.

It was not for a shortage of chance. Most of the home side's offensive moves came through the winger and Ndiaye, who relentlessly delivered threatening crosses into the Spurs box.

What next for both teams?

Everton: Moyes' men head to Sunderland in the Premier League on Monday, 3 November at 8 PM.

Tottenham: Spurs travel to St James' Park on Wednesday, 29 October for their next round League Cup match against the Magpies.

Brett Holland
Brett Holland

Mira Thorne is a seasoned gaming analyst with over a decade of experience in casino entertainment, specializing in slot machine mechanics and player strategies.