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

Micky van de Ven celebrating

Micky van de Ven became the first defender to net twice in a English top-flight match for Tottenham since Jan Vertonghen in spring 2013.

Key points

  • Micky Van de Ven heads into the net twice in opening period

  • Everton's defender has goal disallowed after video check

  • Senegalese midfielder scores final goal in 89th minute

  • The defeat is Everton's initial at their new ground

Micky van de Ven found the net on two occasions as Spurs extended their unbeaten run in away games in the top division and delivered Everton their initial loss at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The Toffees were unbeaten in their five previous fixtures at their recently opened stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, having left Goodison Park behind after 133 years at the end of last season.

But Spurs captain Van de Ven pounced twice from corners in the opening 45 minutes to place their strong form at risk, and they were unable to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by former Toffees attacker the Brazilian - nodded in a third to put the game to bed.

Jake O'Brien thought he had equalized the scores five minutes after the defender's opener, glancing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an set-piece.

Beto, meanwhile, missed a number of opportunities, while the Italian goalkeeper made a series of excellent saves to guarantee Tottenham went five away games unbeaten in the English top flight.

But the video assistant referee intervened, advising Craig Pawson to check the score on the pitchside monitor and the referee ruled that Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye were in an illegal position and had impeded with the Spurs keeper.

The win elevates Thomas Frank's side up to third in the Premier League, a handful of points off north London rivals and table-toppers Arsenal.

Everton remain 14th and are half a dozen points ahead of the relegation zone.

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

Following a uninspiring weekday display in the Champions League against the French side, where they mustered a only two shots on goal, Frank chose Randal Kolo Muani in attack instead of ex-Everton forward Richarlison.

The new arrival was failed to make much of an impact before being replaced for the substitute after an hour on the field, but it emerged he proved unnecessary in the end.

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

Tottenham's first goal came from a cleverly executed corner routine, with Rodrigo Bentancur directing the ball back across the six-yard box for an unmarked the defender to head home.

And the captain - stepping up as captain in the Argentine's unavailability - added his second in added time as he rose above Jordan Pickford to nod in.

Van de Ven was just as impressive in defence, partnering effectively with Kevin Danso as the pair handled excellently with the 34 crosses thrown their way by the opposition.

Toffees breakdown: Everton missing finishing touch

Everton's new home had been a fortress, but it appears the novelty may have worn off slightly and fans flocked to the exits after Sarr's third for Spurs.

The end in Everton's unbeaten home run won't be a massive concern for David Moyes, but their striker situation are.

The forward and Thierno Barry - the Everton's two recognised strikers - had scored just a single goal between them before Sunday's outing.

And they were failed to contribute to that poor tally on a wet and gloomy night on Merseyside.

The striker's performance was summed up when he opted to overhead kick a golden opportunity from close range, despite having space and time to readjust for a simpler attempt that would have challenged Vicario.

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

It was not for a shortage of chance. The majority of Everton's offensive moves came through Grealish and the forward, who relentlessly delivered dangerous balls into the Tottenham penalty area.

What next for these two sides?

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

Spurs: The London club go to St James' Park on late October for their next round League Cup match against Newcastle.

Jeff Hodges
Jeff Hodges

A tech journalist and digital strategist with over a decade of experience covering emerging technologies and innovation trends.