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

Micky van de Ven celebrating

The Dutch defender emerged as the first backline player to score twice in a Premier League game for Spurs since Jan Vertonghen in spring 2013.

Match summary

  • Micky Van de Ven heads into the net twice in opening period

  • The home side's defender has goal disallowed after VAR review

  • Pape Matar Sarr nets final goal in dying moments

  • The defeat is the Merseyside club's initial at Hill Dickinson Stadium

Micky van de Ven scored on two occasions as Tottenham extended their unbeaten run on the road in the top division and delivered Everton their initial loss at their new home.

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

But Tottenham's leader the Dutchman pounced on two occasions from corners in the opening 45 minutes to put their strong form at risk, and they were unable to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - assisted by former Toffees attacker Richarlison - headed home a final goal to seal the victory.

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

The Portuguese striker, in the meantime, failed to convert a number of chances, while Vicario made a succession of excellent stops to guarantee the London club went five away games unbeaten in the English top flight.

But the VAR intervened, instructing the match official to check the score on the pitchside monitor and the official ruled that the winger and the attacker were in an illegal position and had interfered with the Spurs keeper.

The win elevates Thomas Frank's side into third place in the division, a handful of 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.

Tottenham analysis: The defender excels in role at each end of the field

After a drab weekday display in the European competition against Monaco, where they mustered a mere two shots on target, Frank opted for the French striker up front instead of former Toffees player Richarlison.

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

Defender Van de Ven transformed into an attacking force to be feared.

Tottenham's first goal came from a cleverly executed set-piece play, with the midfielder directing the ball back across the face of goal for an free the defender to score.

And Ven de Ven - filling in as captain in the Argentine's absence - added his second in first-half stoppage time as he outjumped Jordan Pickford to nod in.

The Dutchman was equally impressive in defence, combining effectively with his defensive colleague as the pair dealt superbly with the numerous deliveries sent their way by Everton.

Toffees breakdown: Toffees missing finishing touch

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

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

Beto and Thierno Barry - the Everton's pair of recognised strikers - had scored just one league goal combined before the weekend's match.

And they were failed to add to that miserable record on a wet and gloomy evening on Merseyside.

The striker's performance was summed up when he chose to overhead kick a clear chance from near the goal, even with having room and time to readjust for a simpler attempt that would have tested the keeper.

Barry, too, failed to influence the game after replacing Beto in the second half.

It wasn't for a shortage of chance. Most of Everton's attacks came through Grealish and the forward, who tirelessly whipped threatening balls into the Tottenham box.

What next for both teams?

The Toffees: Moyes' men travel to the Stadium of Light in the top flight on early November at 8 PM.

Spurs: The London club travel to Newcastle's ground on Wednesday, 29 October for their fourth-round League Cup tie against Newcastle.

David Armstrong
David Armstrong

A seasoned gaming analyst with over a decade of experience in online casino trends and player strategies.