Van de Ven Brace Halts Everton's Run at New Stadium

Micky van de Ven celebrating

Micky van de Ven became the initial defender to net two goals in a English top-flight game for Spurs since Jan Vertonghen in March 2013.

At a glance

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

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

  • Senegalese midfielder scores final goal in 89th minute

  • The defeat is the Merseyside club's initial at Hill Dickinson Stadium

The Tottenham defender scored twice as Spurs extended their winning streak on the road in the top division 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 their historic home behind after more than a century at the conclusion of last season.

But Spurs captain the Dutchman pounced twice from corners in the opening 45 minutes to put their impressive record at jeopardy, and they were failed to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by ex-Everton forward the Brazilian - headed home a third to put the game to bed.

Jake O'Brien believed he had levelled the tally five minutes after the defender's first goal, glancing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an set-piece.

The Portuguese striker, in the meantime, missed a handful of opportunities, while the Italian goalkeeper made a succession of excellent stops to guarantee the London club went five matches on the road unbeaten in the English top flight.

But the video assistant referee stepped in, advising the match official to check the goal on the screen and the referee ruled that Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye were in an illegal position and had interfered with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

The win elevates the manager's side up to third in the division, five points off north London rivals and table-toppers Arsenal.

The Merseyside club stay 14th and are six points clear of the drop zone.

Spurs breakdown: The defender excels in duties at each end of pitch

After a drab midweek performance in the European competition against Monaco, where they mustered a only attempts on goal, Frank opted for Randal Kolo Muani in attack instead of former Toffees player Richarlison.

The summer signing was failed to make much of an impact before being replaced for Richarlison after 60 minutes on the pitch, but it turns out he proved unnecessary in the final outcome.

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

Tottenham's opening strike came from a cleverly executed corner routine, with Rodrigo Bentancur directing the ball toward the face of goal for an unmarked the defender to head home.

And the captain - filling in as skipper in Cristian Romero's absence - added his next goal in added time as he outjumped Jordan Pickford to head home.

The Dutchman was just as impressive in defence, combining effectively with Kevin Danso as the duo handled superbly with the numerous deliveries thrown their way by Everton.

Toffees breakdown: Toffees missing striker's instinct

The club's recent stadium had been a fortress, but it seems the novelty may have faded somewhat and fans flocked to the exits after Sarr's third for Tottenham.

The end in Everton's unbeaten home run won't be a major worry for the manager, but their attacking woes will be.

Beto and the other striker - the Toffees' two recognised centre-forwards - had scored only a single goal combined before the weekend's outing.

And they were failed to add to that miserable tally on a wet and gloomy night on in Liverpool.

Beto's performance was summed up when he opted to bicycle-kick a golden opportunity from near the goal, even with having room and opportunity to readjust for a more conventional attempt that would have challenged Vicario.

The substitute, too, was unable to influence the game after replacing the starter in the second half.

It wasn't for a lack of chance. Most of Everton's attacks came through the winger and the forward, who tirelessly delivered threatening balls into the Spurs penalty area.

Upcoming fixtures for these two sides?

The Toffees: Moyes' men head to Sunderland in the top flight on Monday, 3 November at 20:00 GMT.

Tottenham: Spurs go to Newcastle's ground on late October for their fourth-round League Cup tie against the Magpies.

Vanessa Bryan
Vanessa Bryan

A former librarian turned literary critic who specializes in contemporary fiction and historical novels, with a passion for uncovering hidden gems.