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

Micky van de Ven celebrating

The Dutch defender emerged as the first backline player to net twice in a English top-flight game for Tottenham since the Belgian defender in spring 2013.

Match summary

  • Micky Van de Ven nods home two times in first half

  • The home side's defender has equalizer ruled after video check

  • Senegalese midfielder nets third in dying moments

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

The Tottenham defender found the net twice as Spurs prolonged their winning streak on the road in the top division and handed the Toffees their first defeat at their new home.

The Toffees were undefeated in their five previous fixtures at their new ground at Bramley-Moore Dock, having left their historic home behind after more than a century at the conclusion of last season.

But Tottenham's leader the Dutchman pounced twice from corners in the first half to place their impressive record at jeopardy, and they were failed to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - assisted by former Toffees attacker Richarlison - nodded in a final goal to put the game to bed.

The Everton defender believed he had levelled the tally a short while after Van de Ven's first goal, directing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an set-piece.

Beto, meanwhile, failed to convert a number of opportunities, while the Italian goalkeeper made a succession of excellent stops to guarantee the London club went five away games unbeaten in the English top flight.

But the VAR stepped in, instructing Craig Pawson to review the goal on the pitchside monitor and the official decided that Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye were in offside positions and had interfered with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

The win moves Thomas Frank's side up to third in the Premier League, a handful of points off north London rivals and leaders Arsenal.

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

Tottenham analysis: Van de Ven fulfils duties at both ends of the field

After a uninspiring weekday performance in the European competition against Monaco, where they mustered a mere attempts on target, the manager opted for the French striker up front instead of ex-Everton forward Richarlison.

The new arrival was unable to make much of an impact before being substituted for Richarlison after 60 minutes on the field, but it emerged he wasn't needed in the end.

Defender the Dutchman transformed into an attacking force to be reckoned with.

Spurs' opening strike came from a well-worked corner routine, with the midfielder directing the ball back across the six-yard box for an unmarked Van de Ven to score.

And the captain - stepping up as captain in the Argentine's absence - notched his next goal in added time as he rose above Jordan Pickford to nod in.

The Dutchman was just as 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 striker's instinct

Everton's new home had been a happy hunting ground, but it seems the novelty may have faded slightly and fans headed to the exits after Sarr's final goal for Tottenham.

The break in the team's unbeaten home run will not be a massive worry for the manager, but their striker situation are.

Beto and the other striker - the Everton's pair of established centre-forwards - had netted just one league goal between them before the weekend's outing.

And they were unable to add to that miserable tally on a damp and dreary evening on Merseyside.

Beto's performance was epitomized when he chose to overhead kick a clear chance from close range, despite having room and opportunity to readjust for a more conventional shot that would have tested Vicario.

The substitute, too, failed to influence the game after replacing the starter in the 65th minute.

It was not for a shortage of chance. Most of Everton's offensive moves came through Grealish and the forward, who tirelessly delivered threatening balls into the Spurs box.

What next for both teams?

Everton: Moyes' men travel to Sunderland in the top flight on Monday, 3 November at 20:00 GMT.

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

Aaron Lucas
Aaron Lucas

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