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

Micky van de Ven celebrating

Micky van de Ven emerged as the first defender to score two goals in a English top-flight game for Spurs since Jan Vertonghen in March 2013.

At a glance

  • Micky Van de Ven heads into the net two times in first half

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

  • Senegalese midfielder scores final goal in dying moments

  • This loss is Everton's first at their new ground

The Tottenham defender scored twice as Tottenham prolonged their winning streak in away games in the top division and delivered the Toffees their first defeat at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The Toffees were undefeated 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 Spurs captain Van de Ven struck on two occasions from set-pieces in the opening 45 minutes to place their strong form at jeopardy, and they were failed to turn it around before the midfielder - set up by former Toffees attacker the Brazilian - headed home a third to seal the victory.

The Everton defender believed he had levelled the tally five minutes after Van de Ven's opener, glancing a powerful header past the Spurs keeper from an Everton corner.

Beto, in the meantime, failed to convert a handful of opportunities, while the Italian goalkeeper made a succession of fine saves to ensure the London club went five away games unbeaten in the English top flight.

But the VAR stepped in, advising Craig Pawson 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 impeded with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

This victory elevates the manager's side up to third in the Premier League, five points off local foes and table-toppers the Gunners.

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

Tottenham analysis: Van de Ven fulfils duties at both ends of pitch

After a drab midweek display in the Champions League against the French side, where they managed a mere attempts on goal, the manager chose the French striker in attack instead of ex-Everton forward the Brazilian.

The summer signing was unable to influence the game before being replaced for the substitute after an hour on the pitch, but it turns out he proved unnecessary in the end.

Defender the Dutchman converted into an attacking force to be reckoned with.

Spurs' opening strike came from a well-worked set-piece play, with Rodrigo Bentancur directing the ball toward the six-yard box for an free Van de Ven to score.

And the captain - stepping up as skipper in Cristian Romero's absence - notched his next goal in first-half stoppage time as he rose above the England keeper to head home.

Van de Ven was just as impressive in defensive duties, partnering effectively with Kevin Danso as the pair handled excellently with the numerous deliveries thrown their way by Everton.

Everton analysis: Toffees missing striker's instinct

The club's recent stadium had been a fortress, but it seems the novelty may have worn off somewhat and fans headed to the gates after Sarr's final goal for Spurs.

The break in the team's unbeaten home run will not be a major concern for David Moyes, but their striker situation will be.

The forward and the other striker - the Toffees' two recognised centre-forwards - had netted only a single goal combined before the weekend's match.

And they were failed to add to that poor record on a wet and gloomy night on Merseyside.

Beto's form was summed up when he opted to overhead kick a golden opportunity from close range, even with having space and opportunity to readjust for a more conventional shot that would have challenged Vicario.

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

It wasn't for a shortage of opportunity. Most of the home side's attacks came through Grealish and the forward, who relentlessly whipped dangerous balls into the Tottenham penalty area.

What next for these two sides?

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

Tottenham: The London club go to Newcastle's ground on late October for their fourth-round League Cup match against the Magpies.

Crystal Lewis
Crystal Lewis

A cybersecurity analyst with over a decade of experience in threat detection and digital forensics, passionate about educating users on privacy best practices.