Micky van de Ven Brace Ends The Toffees' Run at New Home Ground

Micky van de Ven celebrating

The Dutch defender emerged as the first backline player to score two goals in a Premier League game for Tottenham since the Belgian defender in spring 2013.

At a glance

  • The Spurs defender nods home twice in first half

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

  • Senegalese midfielder nets third in dying moments

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

Micky van de Ven found the net twice as Tottenham extended their unbeaten run in away games in the top division and delivered Everton their initial loss 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 133 years at the end of last season.

But Tottenham's leader the Dutchman pounced twice from corners in the opening 45 minutes to place their strong form at jeopardy, and they were unable to turn it around before the midfielder - set up by former Toffees attacker the Brazilian - headed home a final goal to put the game to bed.

Jake O'Brien believed he had levelled the tally a short while after the defender's first goal, glancing a powerful header past Guglielmo Vicario from an set-piece.

The Portuguese striker, meanwhile, failed to convert a number of opportunities, while the Italian goalkeeper made a succession of fine stops to guarantee the London club went five matches on the road without defeat in the Premier League.

But the VAR stepped in, instructing Craig Pawson to review the goal on the screen and the official ruled that the winger and Iliman Ndiaye were in offside positions and had interfered with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

The win elevates the manager's side up to third in the Premier League, a handful of points off local foes and table-toppers the Gunners.

The Merseyside club stay in 14th position and are six points clear of the drop zone.

Spurs breakdown: Van de Ven fulfils role at each end of pitch

After a uninspiring midweek display in the European competition against Monaco, where they managed a only two shots on goal, the manager chose Randal Kolo Muani up front instead of former Toffees player Richarlison.

The new arrival was unable to influence the game before being replaced for the substitute after an hour on the pitch, but it emerged he proved unnecessary in the final outcome.

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

Tottenham's opening strike came from a well-worked set-piece play, with Rodrigo Bentancur heading the ball back across the face of goal for an free the defender to score.

And the captain - filling in as captain in Cristian Romero's unavailability - added his next goal in added time as he rose above Jordan Pickford to head home.

Van de Ven was equally impressive in defence, partnering effectively with Kevin Danso as the pair handled excellently with the 34 crosses sent their way by the opposition.

Everton analysis: Toffees missing finishing touch

Everton's recent stadium had been a fortress, but it seems the freshness may have worn off somewhat and supporters headed to the exits after Sarr's final goal for Tottenham.

The break in the team's unbeaten home run won't be a major worry for David Moyes, but their striker situation are.

Beto and Thierno Barry - the Everton's two recognised strikers - had netted only a single goal between them before the weekend's outing.

And they were failed to add to that poor record on a damp and dreary evening on Merseyside.

The striker's performance was summed up when he chose to overhead kick a clear chance from near the goal, despite having room and time to readjust for a more conventional shot that would have challenged Vicario.

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

It wasn't for a lack of opportunity. The majority of the home side's offensive moves came through Grealish and Ndiaye, who tirelessly delivered threatening crosses into the Tottenham box.

Upcoming fixtures for these two sides?

The Toffees: The team head to Sunderland in the top flight on Monday, 3 November at 20:00 GMT.

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

Matthew Preston
Matthew Preston

Lena Visser is an urban planner and writer passionate about the overlooked edges of cities, with a background in spatial design.