Van de Ven Brace Halts The Toffees' Run at New Home Ground

Micky van de Ven celebrating

The Dutch defender emerged as the first defender to net two goals in a Premier League game for Tottenham since the Belgian defender in March 2013.

At a glance

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

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

  • Pape Matar Sarr nets third in 89th minute

  • This loss is Everton's first at Hill Dickinson Stadium

Micky van de Ven scored twice as Tottenham extended their winning streak in away games in the top division and delivered the Toffees their first defeat at their new home.

The Toffees were undefeated in their last five matches at their recently opened stadium at the dockside location, having departed their historic home behind after more than a century at the conclusion of last season.

But Spurs captain the Dutchman struck twice from set-pieces in the first half to put their impressive record at jeopardy, and they were unable to mount a comeback before the midfielder - assisted by ex-Everton forward the Brazilian - nodded in a final goal to seal the victory.

The Everton defender thought he had equalized the scores a short while after the defender's opener, glancing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an set-piece.

Beto, in the meantime, missed a number of chances, while Vicario made a succession of fine stops to guarantee Tottenham went five away games unbeaten in the English top flight.

But the video assistant referee intervened, instructing the match official to check the goal on the pitchside monitor and the referee ruled that the winger and Iliman Ndiaye were in offside positions and had interfered with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

This victory moves Thomas Frank's team into third place in the Premier League, a handful of points off north London rivals and table-toppers the Gunners.

The Merseyside club stay in 14th position and are half a dozen points ahead of the relegation zone.

Spurs breakdown: The defender fulfils role at both ends of the field

After a uninspiring midweek display in the European competition against Monaco, where they mustered a mere attempts on target, the manager chose Randal Kolo Muani up front instead of ex-Everton forward the Brazilian.

The new arrival was unable to make much of an impact before being replaced for Richarlison after 60 minutes on the pitch, but it emerged he wasn't needed in the final outcome.

Centre-back Van de Ven transformed into an offensive threat to be feared.

Spurs' first goal came from a cleverly executed set-piece play, with the midfielder heading the ball toward the face of goal for an unmarked the defender to head home.

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

Van de Ven was equally impressive in defensive duties, partnering well with his defensive colleague as the pair handled superbly with the 34 crosses sent their way by the opposition.

Toffees breakdown: Everton missing striker's instinct

The club's recent stadium had been a happy hunting ground, but it appears the novelty may have faded somewhat and supporters flocked to the gates after Sarr's third for Tottenham.

The end in Everton's unbeaten home run will not be a major concern for the manager, but their attacking woes are.

The forward and Thierno Barry - the Everton's pair of established centre-forwards - had netted only one league goal between them before the weekend's outing.

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

Beto's form was summed up when he chose to overhead kick a golden opportunity from close range, even with having room and opportunity to reposition for a simpler attempt that would have tested the keeper.

The substitute, too, was unable to make an impact after replacing the starter in the 65th minute.

It was not for a shortage of opportunity. Most of the home side's offensive moves came through Grealish and Ndiaye, who tirelessly delivered threatening crosses into the Tottenham box.

Upcoming fixtures for these two sides?

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

Spurs: The London club travel to Newcastle's ground on Wednesday, 29 October for their next round League Cup match against Newcastle.

John Craig
John Craig

Elara Vance is a tech strategist and AI consultant with over a decade of experience in helping companies integrate advanced technologies.

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