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

Micky van de Ven celebrating

The Dutch defender became the first defender to score twice in a English top-flight game for Spurs since the Belgian defender in March 2013.

Match summary

  • The Spurs defender nods home twice in first half

  • Everton's defender has goal disallowed after VAR review

  • Pape Matar Sarr nets third in dying moments

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

Micky van de Ven found the net on two occasions as Spurs extended their unbeaten run in away games in the Premier League and delivered the Toffees their first defeat at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton were undefeated in their last five matches at their recently opened stadium at the dockside location, having left their historic home behind after more than a century at the end of last season.

But Spurs captain Van de Ven struck twice from set-pieces in the opening 45 minutes to place their strong form at risk, and they were unable 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.

Jake O'Brien believed he had equalized the tally five minutes after Van de Ven's opener, directing a bullet header past the Spurs keeper from an set-piece.

The Portuguese striker, meanwhile, missed a handful of opportunities, while Vicario made a succession of fine stops to guarantee the London club went five away games unbeaten in the English top flight.

But the VAR stepped in, advising the match official to check the score on the screen and the referee ruled that the winger and Iliman Ndiaye were in an illegal position and had interfered with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

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

The Merseyside club stay in 14th position and are six points clear of the relegation zone.

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

After a uninspiring weekday display in the European competition against Monaco, where they mustered a mere attempts on goal, Frank opted for the French striker in attack instead of former Toffees player Richarlison.

The summer signing was failed to influence the game before being substituted for Richarlison after 60 minutes on the field, but it emerged he proved unnecessary in the final outcome.

Defender the Dutchman transformed into an offensive threat to be feared.

Spurs' first goal came from a well-worked corner routine, with Rodrigo Bentancur directing the ball toward the six-yard box for an unmarked the defender to score.

And the captain - filling in as captain in Cristian Romero's absence - added his second in first-half stoppage time as he outjumped Jordan Pickford to nod in.

Van de Ven was equally outstanding in defensive duties, combining well with Kevin Danso as the pair dealt excellently with the numerous deliveries sent their way by the opposition.

Everton analysis: Toffees lacking striker's instinct

The club's recent stadium had been a happy hunting ground, but it appears the novelty may have faded slightly and supporters headed to the exits after Sarr's final goal 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.

Beto and the other striker - the Everton's two recognised strikers - had scored just a single goal between them before Sunday's match.

And they were failed to add to that poor record on a damp and dreary night on in Liverpool.

The striker's form was epitomized when he chose to overhead kick a clear chance from near the goal, even with having space and time to readjust for a more conventional shot that would have challenged Vicario.

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

It wasn't for a shortage of opportunity. Most of Everton's attacks came through Grealish and the forward, who relentlessly delivered threatening crosses into the Spurs penalty area.

What next for these two sides?

The Toffees: Moyes' men travel to the Stadium of Light in the Premier League on Monday, 3 November at 8 PM.

Tottenham: Spurs travel to Newcastle's ground on Wednesday, 29 October for their next round Carabao Cup match against Newcastle.

Nicole Miller
Nicole Miller

A tech enthusiast and digital strategist with over a decade of experience in analyzing emerging technologies and their impact on society.