Micky van de Ven Double Ends The Toffees' Run at Brand New Stadium

Micky van de Ven celebrating

Micky van de Ven emerged as the first defender to score twice in a English top-flight match for Tottenham since Jan Vertonghen in March 2013.

At a glance

  • The Spurs defender nods into the net two times in opening period

  • Everton's Jake O'Brien has equalizer disallowed after VAR review

  • Senegalese midfielder nets third in dying moments

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

The Tottenham defender scored twice as Tottenham prolonged their unbeaten run in away games in the top division and delivered Everton their initial loss at their new home.

Everton were unbeaten in their last five matches at their new ground at the dockside location, having departed their historic home behind after more than a century at the end of last season.

But Tottenham's leader the Dutchman struck twice from set-pieces in the first half to place their impressive record at risk, and they were failed to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by ex-Everton forward the Brazilian - nodded in a final goal to put the game to bed.

The Everton defender thought he had levelled the tally a short while after Van de Ven's opener, glancing a powerful header past the Spurs keeper from an set-piece.

The Portuguese striker, in the meantime, failed to convert a handful of chances, while Vicario made a series of excellent stops to ensure the London club went five away games unbeaten in the English top flight.

But the video assistant referee intervened, advising the match official to check the goal on the pitchside monitor and the official ruled that Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye were in an illegal position and had impeded with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

The win elevates Thomas Frank's side up to third in the division, a handful of points off north London rivals and leaders the Gunners.

Everton remain 14th and are half a dozen points clear of the drop zone.

Spurs breakdown: Van de Ven excels in duties at each end of the field

After a drab midweek display in the European competition against the French side, where they managed a only attempts on target, the manager chose the French striker in attack instead of former Toffees player Richarlison.

The summer signing was failed to make much of an impact before being substituted for Richarlison after 60 minutes on the pitch, but it emerged he proved unnecessary in the end.

Defender Van de Ven transformed into an offensive threat to be reckoned with.

Tottenham's opening strike came from a cleverly executed set-piece play, with the midfielder directing the ball toward the face of goal for an unmarked the defender to head home.

And Ven de Ven - stepping up as captain in the Argentine's unavailability - added his second in first-half stoppage time as he rose above Jordan Pickford to nod in.

The Dutchman was equally outstanding in defence, partnering effectively with Kevin Danso as the pair dealt superbly with the numerous deliveries thrown their way by Everton.

Everton analysis: Toffees lacking finishing touch

Everton's new home had been a happy hunting ground, but it seems the novelty may have worn off slightly and supporters headed to the exits after the midfielder's third for Spurs.

The break in Everton's unbeaten home run won't be a major concern for the manager, but their attacking woes will be.

The forward and Thierno Barry - the Toffees' 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 poor tally on a wet and gloomy night on Merseyside.

Beto's form was summed up when he opted to overhead kick a clear chance from near the goal, despite having space and time to reposition for a simpler shot that would have tested the keeper.

The substitute, too, was unable to make an impact after coming on for Beto in the 65th minute.

It wasn't for a lack of opportunity. Most of Everton's attacks came through Grealish and the forward, who tirelessly whipped threatening balls into the Spurs box.

Upcoming fixtures for these two sides?

Everton: The team travel to Sunderland in the Premier League on Monday, 3 November at 8 PM.

Spurs: The London club go to St James' Park on Wednesday, 29 October for their fourth-round Carabao Cup match against the Magpies.

Shane Johnson
Shane Johnson

A digital strategist with over a decade of experience in content marketing and SEO, passionate about helping brands thrive online.

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