Micky van de Ven Brace Halts Everton's Unbeaten Streak at New Stadium

Micky van de Ven celebrating

Micky van de Ven became the first backline player to net two goals in a Premier League match for Spurs since the Belgian defender in spring 2013.

Match summary

  • The Spurs defender heads into the net twice in opening period

  • The home side's defender has goal disallowed after video check

  • Senegalese midfielder scores third in dying moments

  • The defeat is Everton's initial at their new ground

Micky van de Ven scored twice as Spurs prolonged their unbeaten run on the road in the top division and handed Everton their first defeat at their new home.

The Toffees were unbeaten in their five previous fixtures at their new ground at the dockside location, having departed Goodison Park behind after 133 years 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 jeopardy, and they were failed to mount a comeback before the midfielder - assisted by ex-Everton forward Richarlison - nodded in a final goal to put the game to bed.

The Everton defender thought he had equalized the scores a short while after Van de Ven's first goal, glancing a bullet header past the Spurs keeper from an set-piece.

Beto, meanwhile, missed a handful of opportunities, while Vicario made a succession of fine stops to ensure Tottenham went five matches on the road without defeat in the Premier League.

But the VAR intervened, advising Craig Pawson to check the score on the screen and the referee ruled that the winger and the attacker were in offside positions and had impeded with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

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

The Merseyside club stay 14th and are half a dozen points clear of the relegation zone.

Tottenham analysis: Van de Ven excels in role at both ends of the field

Following a uninspiring midweek performance in the Champions League against the French side, where they managed a only attempts on target, the manager opted for Randal Kolo Muani in attack instead of former Toffees player Richarlison.

The summer signing was unable to influence the game before being replaced for Richarlison after an hour on the pitch, but it turns out he wasn't needed in the final outcome.

Defender the Dutchman transformed into an offensive threat to be reckoned with.

Spurs' opening strike came from a well-worked set-piece play, with Rodrigo Bentancur heading the ball back across the six-yard box for an unmarked the defender to head home.

And Ven de Ven - filling in as skipper in Cristian Romero's absence - notched his second in first-half stoppage time as he rose above Jordan Pickford to nod in.

Van de Ven was just as outstanding in defence, partnering effectively with his defensive colleague as the pair dealt superbly with the numerous deliveries thrown their way by the opposition.

Everton analysis: Toffees missing finishing touch

The club's recent stadium had been a happy hunting ground, but it appears the freshness may have worn off somewhat and fans headed to the exits after the midfielder's third for Tottenham.

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

The forward and Thierno Barry - the Everton's two established centre-forwards - had netted just one league goal between them before the weekend's outing.

And they were failed to add to that miserable tally on a wet and gloomy evening on Merseyside.

The striker's form was epitomized when he opted to bicycle-kick a clear chance from close range, even with having space and opportunity to readjust for a more conventional shot that would have challenged the keeper.

Barry, as well, failed to make an impact after replacing the starter in the second half.

It wasn't for a shortage of opportunity. The majority of the home side's offensive moves came through Grealish and the forward, who relentlessly delivered threatening crosses into the Tottenham penalty area.

What next for these two sides?

Everton: Moyes' men head to Sunderland in the Premier League on Monday, 3 November at 20:00 GMT.

Tottenham: The London club go to St James' Park on late October for their fourth-round League Cup tie against Newcastle.

Trevor Jackson
Trevor Jackson

A logistics expert with over a decade in supply chain innovation and digital transformation strategies.