Van de Ven Double Halts The Toffees' Run at New Home Ground

Micky van de Ven celebrating

Micky van de Ven became the first defender to score twice in a English top-flight match for Tottenham since Jan Vertonghen in March 2013.

At a glance

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

  • Everton's defender has goal disallowed after VAR review

  • Senegalese midfielder scores third in dying moments

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

The Tottenham defender found the net on two occasions as Spurs prolonged their winning streak on the road in the top division and delivered Everton their initial loss at their new home.

Everton were undefeated in their last five matches at their recently opened stadium at the dockside location, having left their historic home behind after 133 years at the conclusion of last season.

But Spurs captain the Dutchman pounced twice from corners in the opening 45 minutes to put their strong form at jeopardy, and they were failed to mount a comeback before Pape Matar Sarr - assisted by ex-Everton forward the Brazilian - headed home a third to put the game to bed.

Jake O'Brien believed he had equalized the scores a short while after Van de Ven's first goal, glancing a powerful header past Guglielmo Vicario from an Everton corner.

The Portuguese striker, in the meantime, missed a number of chances, while Vicario made a series of fine stops to guarantee Tottenham went five away games without defeat in the Premier League.

But the video assistant referee intervened, instructing Craig Pawson to check the goal on the screen and the referee decided that Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye were in an illegal position and had impeded with the Spurs keeper.

The win elevates the manager's team into third place in the Premier League, a handful of points off north London rivals and table-toppers the Gunners.

Everton remain in 14th position and are half a dozen points ahead of the drop zone.

Spurs breakdown: The defender fulfils duties at each end of pitch

After a uninspiring midweek performance in the European competition against Monaco, where they managed a only two shots on target, the manager opted for Randal Kolo Muani in attack instead of former Toffees player Richarlison.

The summer signing 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 end.

Centre-back Van de Ven transformed into an attacking force to be feared.

Spurs' first goal came from a well-worked corner routine, with Rodrigo Bentancur heading the ball back across the six-yard box for an free the defender to score.

And Ven de Ven - stepping up as captain in Cristian Romero's absence - added his next goal in added time as he outjumped the England keeper to nod in.

Van de Ven was equally impressive in defence, combining well with Kevin Danso as the pair dealt superbly with the 34 crosses thrown their way by the opposition.

Everton analysis: Toffees lacking finishing touch

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

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

Beto and the other striker - the Toffees' pair of established centre-forwards - had scored just a single goal between them before the weekend's match.

And they were unable to add to that poor tally on a damp and dreary night on in Liverpool.

Beto's form was summed up when he chose to overhead kick a clear chance from close range, despite having room and time to reposition for a more conventional attempt that would have challenged the keeper.

Barry, too, was unable to make an impact after coming on for the starter in the second half.

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

Upcoming fixtures for these two sides?

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

Tottenham: Spurs travel to St James' Park on late October for their next round Carabao Cup match against the Magpies.

Kenneth Jones
Kenneth Jones

Lena is a digital strategist and community builder with over a decade of experience in fostering entrepreneurial ecosystems across Europe.