Van de Ven Double Ends Everton's Run at Brand New Stadium

Micky van de Ven celebrating

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

Match summary

  • Micky Van de Ven nods home two times in opening period

  • The home side's defender has equalizer disallowed after VAR review

  • Senegalese midfielder nets third in dying moments

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

The Tottenham defender scored twice as Tottenham extended their unbeaten run in away games in the Premier League and handed Everton their first defeat at their new home.

The Toffees were unbeaten in their five previous fixtures at their recently opened stadium at the dockside location, having left Goodison Park behind after 133 years at the end of last season.

But Tottenham's leader Van de Ven pounced twice from corners in the first half to place their strong form at jeopardy, and they were failed to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by former Toffees attacker Richarlison - nodded in a final goal to seal the victory.

The Everton defender thought he had levelled the scores five minutes after Van de Ven's first goal, glancing a powerful header past the Spurs keeper from an set-piece.

The Portuguese striker, in the meantime, missed a number of chances, while the Italian goalkeeper made a succession of fine stops to ensure the London club went five away games unbeaten in the Premier League.

But the video assistant referee intervened, advising the match official to review the score on the pitchside monitor and the official decided that Jack Grealish 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 division, five points off local foes and table-toppers Arsenal.

The Merseyside club stay 14th and sit six points ahead of the relegation zone.

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

After a uninspiring weekday display in the European competition against the French side, where they mustered a mere two shots on target, Frank opted for Randal Kolo Muani in attack instead of former Toffees player the Brazilian.

The new arrival was unable to influence the game before being replaced for the substitute after 60 minutes on the field, but it turns out he proved unnecessary in the end.

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

Tottenham's opening strike came from a cleverly executed corner routine, with the midfielder directing the ball back across the face of goal for an free Van de Ven to head home.

And the captain - filling in as skipper in Cristian Romero's absence - notched his second in added time as he rose above Jordan Pickford to nod in.

Van de Ven was equally outstanding in defensive duties, partnering effectively with his defensive colleague as the duo handled superbly with the 34 crosses sent their way by Everton.

Toffees breakdown: Toffees missing striker's instinct

The club's new home had been a happy hunting ground, but it appears the freshness may have worn off slightly and supporters headed to the exits after Sarr's third for Tottenham.

The end in Everton's winning streak at home won't be a massive worry for David Moyes, but their attacking woes will be.

Beto and the other striker - the Everton's pair of recognised centre-forwards - had netted only a single goal between them before Sunday's outing.

And they were unable to add to that poor tally on a wet and gloomy evening on Merseyside.

Beto's performance was epitomized when he opted to bicycle-kick a golden opportunity from near the goal, despite having space and opportunity to readjust for a simpler shot that would have challenged the keeper.

Barry, too, failed to make an impact after replacing Beto in the second half.

It was not for a lack of chance. The majority of the home side's attacks came through Grealish and the forward, who relentlessly delivered threatening balls into the Spurs penalty area.

Upcoming fixtures for these two sides?

The Toffees: The team travel to Sunderland in the Premier League on Monday, 3 November at 20:00 GMT.

Spurs: The London club travel to Newcastle's ground on late October for their next round League Cup match against the Magpies.

Clinton Guerrero
Clinton Guerrero

A seasoned casino analyst with over a decade of experience in gaming strategy and player psychology, specializing in slot machine mechanics.