Van de Ven Brace Halts The Toffees' Unbeaten Streak at Brand New Stadium

Micky van de Ven celebrating

Micky van de Ven emerged as the first defender to score twice in a English top-flight match for Spurs since Jan Vertonghen in spring 2013.

At a glance

  • Micky Van de Ven nods into the net twice in first half

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

  • Pape Matar Sarr scores third in 89th minute

  • The defeat is Everton's initial at Hill Dickinson Stadium

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

The Toffees were unbeaten in their five previous fixtures at their recently opened stadium at the dockside location, having left Goodison Park behind after more than a century at the conclusion of the previous campaign.

But Spurs captain the Dutchman struck on two occasions from set-pieces in the opening 45 minutes to put their strong form at risk, and they were unable to mount a comeback before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by former Toffees attacker Richarlison - nodded in a third to put the game to bed.

Jake O'Brien thought he had equalized the scores a short while after the defender's opener, directing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an set-piece.

Beto, meanwhile, failed to convert a number of opportunities, while Vicario made a series of excellent stops to guarantee the London club went five matches on the road unbeaten in the English top flight.

But the VAR intervened, instructing Craig Pawson to check the score on the pitchside monitor and the referee decided that the winger and Iliman Ndiaye were in offside positions and had impeded with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

The win elevates Thomas Frank's team up to third in the Premier League, a handful of points off local foes and leaders Arsenal.

The Merseyside club stay 14th and are six points clear of the relegation zone.

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

Following a drab weekday display in the European competition against Monaco, where they mustered a mere attempts on target, Frank opted for the French striker up front instead of ex-Everton forward Richarlison.

The new arrival was failed to make much of an impact before being substituted for Richarlison after 60 minutes on the field, but it emerged he proved unnecessary in the final outcome.

Centre-back the Dutchman converted into an offensive threat to be reckoned with.

Tottenham's opening strike came from a cleverly executed corner routine, with the midfielder directing the ball back across the six-yard box for an unmarked the defender to score.

And the captain - filling in as skipper in the Argentine's unavailability - notched his second in added time as he outjumped Jordan Pickford to nod in.

The Dutchman was equally impressive in defensive duties, partnering effectively with Kevin Danso as the duo handled excellently with the numerous deliveries sent their way by Everton.

Everton analysis: Toffees lacking finishing touch

Everton's recent stadium had been a fortress, but it seems the freshness may have faded slightly and fans headed to the exits after the midfielder's final goal for Spurs.

The break in Everton's unbeaten home run won't be a massive worry for David Moyes, but their attacking woes will be.

Beto and the other striker - the Toffees' two established strikers - had netted only a single goal combined before the weekend's match.

And they were failed to add to that poor tally on a wet and gloomy night on Merseyside.

The striker's form was epitomized when he chose to bicycle-kick a golden opportunity from near the goal, despite having space and time to readjust for a more conventional attempt that would have challenged Vicario.

Barry, too, 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 the home side's attacks came through Grealish and Ndiaye, who relentlessly whipped threatening balls into the Tottenham penalty area.

What next for both teams?

Everton: Moyes' men travel to Sunderland in the top flight on early November at 20:00 GMT.

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

Edward Rowland
Edward Rowland

A risk analyst and strategic consultant with over a decade of experience in finance and technology, specializing in data-driven decision frameworks.