Micky van de Ven Double Halts Everton's Unbeaten Streak at New Home Ground

Micky van de Ven celebrating

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

Match summary

  • The Spurs defender heads home two times in opening period

  • The home side's Jake O'Brien has equalizer disallowed after VAR review

  • Pape Matar Sarr nets final goal in dying moments

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

The Tottenham defender scored on two occasions as Tottenham prolonged their unbeaten run on the road in the Premier League and delivered the Toffees their first defeat at their new home.

The Toffees were undefeated in their five previous fixtures at their new ground at the dockside location, having departed Goodison Park behind after 133 years at the conclusion of the previous campaign.

But Tottenham's leader Van de Ven pounced twice from set-pieces in the first half to put their strong form at risk, and they were failed to mount a comeback before the midfielder - set up by ex-Everton forward the Brazilian - headed home a third to seal the victory.

The Everton defender believed he had levelled the scores a short while after the defender's opener, glancing a powerful header past Guglielmo Vicario from an set-piece.

The Portuguese striker, in the meantime, failed to convert a handful of opportunities, while the Italian goalkeeper made a series of fine stops to guarantee Tottenham went five away games unbeaten in the Premier League.

But the VAR intervened, advising the match official to check the goal on the pitchside monitor and the referee decided that the winger and Iliman Ndiaye were in an illegal position and had interfered with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

This victory moves the manager's team into third place in the division, a handful of points off local foes and leaders the Gunners.

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

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

After a drab midweek display in the Champions League against the French side, where they managed a mere attempts on target, the manager chose Randal Kolo Muani in attack instead of ex-Everton forward the Brazilian.

The summer signing was failed to influence the game before being substituted for the substitute after 60 minutes on the pitch, but it emerged he wasn't needed in the end.

Defender Van de Ven transformed into an attacking force to be reckoned with.

Spurs' first goal came from a well-worked corner routine, with the midfielder directing the ball back across the face of goal for an free the defender to head home.

And the captain - stepping up as skipper in the Argentine's absence - notched his second in first-half stoppage time as he outjumped Jordan Pickford to head home.

Van de Ven was equally outstanding in defensive duties, partnering well with his defensive colleague as the duo dealt superbly with the numerous deliveries sent their way by Everton.

Toffees breakdown: Toffees lacking striker's instinct

Everton's new home had been a fortress, but it appears the novelty may have faded somewhat and supporters flocked to the exits after Sarr's third for Tottenham.

The end in the team's winning streak at home will not be a major concern for the manager, but their striker situation will be.

The forward and the other striker - the Everton's pair of established centre-forwards - had netted only one league goal combined before the weekend's outing.

And they were failed to add to that miserable record 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, even with having room and opportunity to reposition for a more conventional attempt that would have tested the keeper.

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

It was not for a shortage of chance. Most of Everton's attacks came through Grealish and Ndiaye, who relentlessly delivered dangerous crosses into the Spurs box.

What next for these two sides?

Everton: The team head to Sunderland in the Premier League on early November at 20:00 GMT.

Tottenham: Spurs go to Newcastle's ground on late October for their next round League Cup tie against Newcastle.

Jacob David
Jacob David

A former sports analyst turned betting strategist, specializing in data-driven wagering approaches and market trends.