Van de Ven Brace Ends The Toffees' Run at New Stadium

Micky van de Ven celebrating

The Dutch defender emerged as the first backline player to score twice in a English top-flight match for Tottenham since the Belgian defender in March 2013.

Match summary

  • The Spurs defender heads home twice in first half

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

  • Senegalese midfielder scores final goal in 89th minute

  • This loss is the Merseyside club's initial at their new ground

Micky van de Ven found the net on two occasions as Tottenham prolonged their unbeaten run in away games in the top division and handed the Toffees their initial loss at their new home.

The Toffees were undefeated in their last five matches at their recently opened stadium at the dockside location, having left Goodison Park behind after 133 years at the end of the previous campaign.

But Tottenham's leader the Dutchman pounced on two occasions from corners in the opening 45 minutes to place their impressive record at risk, and they were unable to turn it around before the midfielder - assisted by former Toffees attacker the Brazilian - headed home a third to put the game to bed.

Jake O'Brien thought he had equalized the tally five minutes after Van de Ven's first goal, glancing a bullet header past the Spurs keeper from an Everton corner.

Beto, meanwhile, missed a number of chances, while Vicario made a succession of excellent saves to ensure the London club went five matches on the road without defeat in the Premier League.

But the VAR stepped in, 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 Spurs keeper.

The win moves the manager's side into third place in the division, five points off local foes and leaders Arsenal.

Everton remain 14th and are six points ahead of the drop zone.

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

Following a uninspiring midweek display in the Champions League against Monaco, where they mustered a only attempts on goal, the manager opted for Randal Kolo Muani up front instead of former Toffees player Richarlison.

The new arrival was unable to make much of an impact before being substituted for the substitute after an hour on the pitch, but it emerged he proved unnecessary in the final outcome.

Centre-back Van de Ven converted into an attacking force to be reckoned with.

Spurs' opening strike came from a well-worked corner routine, with the midfielder directing the ball back across the face of goal for an free the defender to head home.

And the captain - stepping up as skipper in Cristian Romero's unavailability - added his next goal in first-half stoppage time as he rose above the England keeper to head home.

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

Toffees breakdown: Toffees missing striker's instinct

Everton's new home had been a fortress, but it seems the freshness may have worn off slightly and supporters headed to the exits after the midfielder's third for Spurs.

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

Beto and the other striker - the Everton's pair of recognised centre-forwards - had netted just one league goal combined before the weekend's outing.

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

The striker's performance was epitomized when he opted to overhead kick a clear chance from close range, even with having room and time to readjust for a simpler shot that would have tested the keeper.

The substitute, as well, failed to influence the game after coming on for Beto in the 65th minute.

It wasn't for a lack of chance. Most of the home side's offensive moves came through Grealish and the forward, who relentlessly whipped dangerous balls into the Tottenham box.

What next for both teams?

Everton: Moyes' men travel to Sunderland in the top flight on Monday, 3 November at 8 PM.

Spurs: The London club travel to St James' Park on late October for their fourth-round Carabao Cup tie against the Magpies.

Michael Sanford
Michael Sanford

A digital strategist with over a decade of experience in SEO and content marketing, passionate about helping businesses scale online.