Micky van de Ven Double Halts Everton's Unbeaten Streak at New Stadium

Micky van de Ven celebrating

The Dutch defender became the first defender to net twice in a Premier League match for Spurs since the Belgian defender in March 2013.

At a glance

  • The Spurs defender nods into the net two times in first half

  • The home side's defender has goal disallowed after video check

  • Pape Matar Sarr nets third in dying moments

  • The defeat is Everton's first at Hill Dickinson Stadium

Micky van de Ven found the net on two occasions as Spurs extended their unbeaten run in away games in the top division and handed the Toffees their first defeat at their new home.

The Toffees were undefeated in their last five matches at their new ground at the dockside location, having departed Goodison Park behind after 133 years at the end of the previous campaign.

But Spurs captain Van de Ven struck twice from corners in the opening 45 minutes to put their impressive record at jeopardy, and they were unable to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by former Toffees attacker Richarlison - nodded in a third to put the game to bed.

Jake O'Brien thought he had levelled the scores a short while after the defender's opener, glancing a powerful header past the Spurs keeper from an set-piece.

The Portuguese striker, meanwhile, failed to convert a handful of opportunities, while the Italian goalkeeper made a series of fine saves to guarantee Tottenham went five matches on the road without defeat in the English top flight.

But the VAR intervened, instructing Craig Pawson to check the score on the pitchside monitor and the referee ruled that the winger and Iliman Ndiaye were in offside positions and had impeded with the Spurs keeper.

The win elevates the manager's team up to third in the division, a handful of points off north London rivals and leaders Arsenal.

The Merseyside club remain in 14th position and sit six points clear of the drop zone.

Tottenham analysis: Van de Ven excels in role at both ends of pitch

Following a drab weekday display in the Champions League against the French side, where they managed a only attempts on goal, the manager opted for Randal Kolo Muani in attack instead of former Toffees player Richarlison.

The new arrival was unable to influence the game before being substituted for Richarlison after 60 minutes on the field, but it emerged he wasn't needed in the end.

Defender the Dutchman converted into an offensive threat to be reckoned with.

Spurs' first goal came from a well-worked set-piece play, with Rodrigo Bentancur directing the ball back across the six-yard box for an unmarked Van de Ven to score.

And Ven de Ven - stepping up as skipper in the Argentine's unavailability - notched his next goal in first-half stoppage time as he rose above Jordan Pickford to head home.

The Dutchman was equally outstanding in defence, partnering well with Kevin Danso as the duo handled excellently with the numerous deliveries sent their way by the opposition.

Everton analysis: Toffees lacking striker's instinct

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

The end in Everton's winning streak at home will not be a major concern for David Moyes, but their attacking woes are.

Beto and the other striker - the Toffees' pair of established strikers - had scored just a single goal combined before Sunday's outing.

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

The striker's performance was epitomized when he chose to bicycle-kick a golden opportunity from close range, even with having space and time to reposition for a more conventional attempt that would have challenged Vicario.

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

It was not for a lack of opportunity. The majority of the home side's attacks came through Grealish and the forward, who relentlessly whipped dangerous crosses into the Tottenham penalty area.

Upcoming fixtures for these two sides?

Everton: The team travel to the Stadium of Light in the Premier League on Monday, 3 November at 8 PM.

Tottenham: Spurs travel to Newcastle's ground on late October for their next round Carabao Cup match against the Magpies.

Austin Keller
Austin Keller

A seasoned gambling journalist with over a decade of experience covering UK casino trends and regulatory updates.