Van de Ven Brace Halts Everton's Unbeaten Streak at New Home Ground

Micky van de Ven celebrating

Micky van de Ven emerged as the first backline player to score two goals in a Premier League game for Spurs since Jan Vertonghen in March 2013.

Match summary

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

  • Everton's Jake O'Brien has goal ruled after video check

  • Senegalese midfielder nets final goal in 89th minute

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

Micky van de Ven scored twice as Spurs prolonged their unbeaten run on the road in the Premier League and handed the Toffees their first defeat at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton were undefeated in their five previous fixtures at their new ground at Bramley-Moore Dock, having left Goodison Park behind after 133 years at the end of the previous campaign.

But Spurs captain Van de Ven pounced twice from corners in the opening 45 minutes to put their impressive record at risk, and they were unable to turn it around before the midfielder - set up by ex-Everton forward Richarlison - nodded in a third to seal the victory.

Jake O'Brien thought he had equalized the scores five minutes after the defender's opener, glancing a powerful header past the Spurs keeper from an Everton corner.

Beto, in the meantime, failed to convert a handful of chances, while the Italian goalkeeper made a series of excellent stops to ensure Tottenham went five matches on the road without defeat in the English top flight.

But the video assistant referee intervened, advising the match official to review the goal on the pitchside monitor and the referee decided that Jack Grealish and the attacker were in offside positions and had impeded with the Spurs keeper.

The win moves Thomas Frank's team into third place in the division, five points off local foes and leaders the Gunners.

Everton stay 14th and are six points clear of the relegation zone.

Spurs breakdown: The defender fulfils role at each end of pitch

After a drab weekday display in the European competition against Monaco, where they managed a mere two shots on goal, the manager chose the French striker up front instead of former Toffees player the Brazilian.

The summer signing was failed to influence the game before being substituted for the substitute after an hour on the pitch, but it emerged he proved unnecessary in the final outcome.

Centre-back Van de Ven converted into an attacking force to be reckoned with.

Spurs' opening strike came from a cleverly executed set-piece play, with the midfielder heading the ball toward the six-yard box for an free the defender to score.

And Ven de Ven - filling in as captain in the Argentine's absence - added his second in first-half stoppage time as he outjumped Jordan Pickford to head home.

The Dutchman was just as outstanding in defensive duties, partnering well with Kevin Danso as the pair dealt excellently with the 34 crosses sent their way by Everton.

Toffees breakdown: Everton missing finishing touch

Everton's new home had been a fortress, but it appears the novelty may have worn off somewhat and fans headed to the exits after the midfielder's final goal for Tottenham.

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

The forward and the other striker - the Everton's pair of established strikers - had scored just one league goal combined before the weekend's match.

And they were unable to contribute to that poor tally on a damp and dreary night on in Liverpool.

The striker's performance was summed up when he chose to bicycle-kick a clear chance from near the goal, even with having space and opportunity to reposition for a more conventional shot that would have challenged Vicario.

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

It was not for a lack of opportunity. The majority of Everton's attacks came through Grealish and Ndiaye, who relentlessly whipped threatening balls into the Tottenham penalty area.

Upcoming fixtures for both teams?

The Toffees: The team travel to the Stadium of Light in the top flight on early November at 20:00 GMT.

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

John Fritz
John Fritz

Lena is een tech-journalist met een passie voor innovatie en duurzaamheid.