Micky van de Ven Brace Halts The Toffees' Unbeaten Streak at New Home Ground

Micky van de Ven celebrating

Micky van de Ven emerged as the first defender to score twice in a Premier League game for Tottenham since Jan Vertonghen in spring 2013.

At a glance

  • Micky Van de Ven heads home two times in first half

  • Everton's defender has equalizer disallowed after video check

  • Pape Matar Sarr nets final goal in dying moments

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

The Tottenham defender found the net on two occasions as Tottenham extended their unbeaten run on the road in the top division and delivered the Toffees their initial loss at their new home.

The Toffees were undefeated in their last five matches at their recently opened stadium at the dockside location, having departed Goodison Park behind after 133 years at the conclusion of the previous campaign.

But Spurs captain the Dutchman struck on two occasions from corners in the opening 45 minutes to put their strong form at jeopardy, and they were failed to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - assisted by former Toffees attacker Richarlison - headed home a final goal to put the game to bed.

Jake O'Brien thought he had equalized the tally a short while after the defender's first goal, glancing a powerful header past Guglielmo Vicario from an Everton corner.

Beto, meanwhile, failed to convert a number of chances, while the Italian goalkeeper made a succession of fine saves to guarantee Tottenham went five matches on the road without defeat in the Premier League.

But the VAR stepped in, advising Craig Pawson to review the score on the pitchside monitor and the official ruled that the winger and the attacker were in offside positions and had impeded with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

The win moves Thomas Frank's team into third place in the Premier League, a handful of points off north London rivals and leaders Arsenal.

The Merseyside club remain 14th and are half a dozen points ahead of the drop zone.

Tottenham analysis: Van de Ven fulfils role at each end of the field

Following a drab weekday performance in the Champions League against the French side, where they mustered a only attempts on goal, the manager chose Randal Kolo Muani in attack instead of ex-Everton forward Richarlison.

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

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

Tottenham's opening strike came from a cleverly executed corner routine, with the midfielder heading the ball back across the face of goal for an free the defender to head home.

And Ven de Ven - stepping up as captain in Cristian Romero's unavailability - added his next goal in added time as he rose above the England keeper to head home.

Van de Ven was equally impressive in defence, partnering effectively with Kevin Danso as the pair handled excellently with the numerous deliveries sent their way by the opposition.

Everton analysis: Everton missing striker's instinct

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

The break in the team's winning streak at home won't be a massive worry for David Moyes, but their striker situation will be.

Beto and Thierno Barry - the Toffees' two established strikers - had netted only one league goal between them before Sunday's outing.

And they were unable to add to that miserable record on a damp and dreary evening on in Liverpool.

The striker's form was epitomized when he opted to bicycle-kick a clear chance from close range, even with having room and opportunity to readjust for a more conventional shot that would have challenged the keeper.

The substitute, as well, failed to make an impact after replacing Beto in the 65th minute.

It was not for a lack of chance. Most of the home side's offensive moves came through Grealish and Ndiaye, who relentlessly whipped threatening crosses into the Tottenham box.

Upcoming fixtures for these two sides?

Everton: Moyes' men travel to Sunderland in the Premier League on early November at 20:00 GMT.

Tottenham: Spurs go to Newcastle's ground on Wednesday, 29 October for their fourth-round League Cup tie against the Magpies.

Jesse Tucker
Jesse Tucker

A poet and fiction writer with a background in literature, sharing insights on crafting compelling narratives and poetic forms.