Micky van de Ven Brace Ends Everton's Unbeaten Streak at Brand New Home Ground

Micky van de Ven celebrating

Micky van de Ven emerged as the initial backline player to score twice in a English top-flight match for Tottenham since the Belgian defender in spring 2013.

Match summary

  • The Spurs defender nods home two times in opening period

  • Everton's defender has equalizer ruled after VAR review

  • Senegalese midfielder nets third in 89th minute

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

Micky van de Ven found the net on two occasions as Tottenham extended their unbeaten run on the road in the Premier League and handed the Toffees their first defeat at their new home.

The Toffees were unbeaten in their five previous fixtures at their new ground at Bramley-Moore Dock, having left Goodison Park behind after more than a century at the end of the previous campaign.

But Tottenham's leader the Dutchman struck twice from set-pieces in the opening 45 minutes to place their strong form at jeopardy, and they were unable to mount a comeback before the midfielder - assisted by ex-Everton forward Richarlison - nodded in a third to seal the victory.

The Everton defender believed he had equalized the scores a short while after Van de Ven's opener, glancing a bullet header past the Spurs keeper from an Everton corner.

Beto, in the meantime, failed to convert a number of chances, while Vicario made a series of fine saves to ensure Tottenham went five away games without defeat in the English top flight.

But the VAR intervened, advising Craig Pawson to check the score on the screen and the official ruled that the winger and the attacker were in offside positions 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 Arsenal.

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

Tottenham analysis: Van de Ven excels in duties at each end of pitch

After a drab weekday display in the European competition against the French side, where they managed a mere attempts on goal, the manager chose the French striker up front instead of former Toffees player the Brazilian.

The summer signing was failed to make much of an impact before being replaced for the substitute after an hour on the pitch, but it emerged he proved unnecessary in the final outcome.

Centre-back the Dutchman transformed into an offensive threat to be feared.

Spurs' first goal came from a well-worked set-piece play, with Rodrigo Bentancur heading the ball back across the face of goal for an unmarked Van de Ven to head home.

And the captain - filling in as skipper in Cristian Romero's unavailability - added his next goal in first-half stoppage time as he rose above the England keeper to nod in.

The Dutchman was just as outstanding in defence, combining well with his defensive colleague as the pair dealt excellently with the 34 crosses thrown their way by the opposition.

Everton analysis: Toffees missing striker's instinct

The club's new home had been a fortress, but it appears the novelty may have faded somewhat and fans headed to the gates after Sarr's third for Tottenham.

The break in Everton's unbeaten home run won't be a massive concern for David Moyes, but their striker situation will be.

Beto and Thierno Barry - the Everton's pair of established strikers - had netted only one league goal combined before the weekend's match.

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

Beto's form was epitomized when he opted to overhead kick a clear chance from close range, despite having room and time to reposition for a simpler shot that would have challenged the keeper.

The substitute, as well, was unable to influence the game after replacing the starter in the 65th minute.

It was not for a shortage of opportunity. Most of the home side's offensive moves came through Grealish and Ndiaye, who tirelessly delivered dangerous balls into the Tottenham penalty area.

Upcoming fixtures for both teams?

Everton: Moyes' men travel to the Stadium of Light in the Premier League on early November at 20:00 GMT.

Tottenham: Spurs travel to St James' Park on Wednesday, 29 October for their fourth-round League Cup match against Newcastle.

Alice Johnson
Alice Johnson

Elara Vance is a seasoned financial analyst with over 15 years of experience in global markets, specializing in investment strategies and economic forecasting.