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

Micky van de Ven celebrating

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

At a glance

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

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

  • Pape Matar Sarr nets final goal in dying moments

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

The Tottenham defender found the net twice as Spurs extended their winning streak on the road in the Premier League and delivered Everton their first defeat 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 more than a century at the end of the previous campaign.

But Spurs captain Van de Ven pounced on two occasions from set-pieces in the first half to put their strong form at jeopardy, and they were unable to turn it around before the midfielder - set up by former Toffees attacker the Brazilian - nodded in a third to seal the victory.

The Everton defender thought he had equalized the scores a short while after the defender's opener, glancing a powerful header past the Spurs keeper from an set-piece.

The Portuguese striker, meanwhile, failed to convert a number of opportunities, while the Italian goalkeeper made a succession of excellent saves to guarantee Tottenham went five away games unbeaten in the English top flight.

But the video assistant referee stepped in, instructing the match official to check the goal on the pitchside monitor and the referee ruled that Jack Grealish and the attacker were in an illegal position and had interfered with the Spurs keeper.

The win moves Thomas Frank's team up to third in the division, five points off north London rivals and table-toppers the Gunners.

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

Spurs breakdown: The defender excels in duties at both ends of the field

Following a uninspiring weekday display in the Champions League against Monaco, where they mustered a mere attempts on target, Frank chose the French striker up front instead of ex-Everton forward the Brazilian.

The summer signing was unable to make much of an impact before being substituted for the substitute after an hour on the field, but it emerged he proved unnecessary in the end.

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

Tottenham's first goal came from a cleverly executed corner routine, with Rodrigo Bentancur directing the ball toward the face of goal for an unmarked Van de Ven to score.

And Ven de Ven - filling in as skipper in the Argentine's unavailability - notched his second in added time as he rose above Jordan Pickford to nod in.

Van de Ven was equally outstanding in defensive duties, partnering effectively with Kevin Danso as the pair dealt superbly with the numerous deliveries thrown their way by the opposition.

Toffees breakdown: Toffees missing finishing touch

Everton's recent stadium had been a happy hunting ground, but it seems the freshness may have worn off slightly and fans flocked to the exits after the midfielder's final goal for Spurs.

The break in the team's unbeaten home run won't be a major concern for David Moyes, but their attacking woes are.

Beto and the other striker - the Everton's pair of recognised centre-forwards - had netted only one league goal between them before Sunday's outing.

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

Beto'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 simpler shot that would have tested the keeper.

The substitute, too, was unable to influence the game after coming on for the starter in the second half.

It was not for a lack of opportunity. Most of the home side's offensive moves came through Grealish and the forward, who relentlessly whipped threatening balls into the Tottenham penalty area.

What next for both teams?

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

Tottenham: The London club go to St James' Park on late October for their next round Carabao Cup match against the Magpies.

Lauren Reilly
Lauren Reilly

A passionate writer and life coach dedicated to spreading joy through insightful articles and practical advice.

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