Van de Ven Brace Halts The Toffees' Unbeaten Streak at New Stadium

Micky van de Ven celebrating

The Dutch defender emerged as the first backline player to net two goals in a English top-flight game for Spurs since the Belgian defender in March 2013.

Match summary

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

  • Everton's defender has equalizer ruled after video check

  • Pape Matar Sarr nets final goal in 89th minute

  • This loss is the Merseyside club's first at their new ground

The Tottenham defender found the net twice as Spurs prolonged their unbeaten run in away games in the Premier League and delivered Everton their initial loss at their new home.

Everton were unbeaten in their five previous fixtures at their recently opened stadium at the dockside location, having departed Goodison Park behind after more than a century at the conclusion of last season.

But Tottenham's leader the Dutchman struck on two occasions from set-pieces in the first half to place their strong form at jeopardy, and they were unable to turn it around before the midfielder - set up by former Toffees attacker Richarlison - nodded in a final goal to seal the victory.

Jake O'Brien thought he had equalized the tally five minutes after Van de Ven's opener, glancing a powerful header past Guglielmo Vicario from an set-piece.

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

But the VAR intervened, instructing Craig Pawson to check the goal on the pitchside monitor and the official ruled that Jack Grealish and the attacker were in an illegal position and had impeded with the Spurs keeper.

The win elevates the manager's team into third place in the division, a handful of points off local foes and table-toppers Arsenal.

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

Tottenham analysis: The defender fulfils duties at each end of the field

After a drab weekday performance in the Champions League against the French side, where they mustered a mere attempts on target, the manager opted for the French striker in attack instead of former Toffees player the Brazilian.

The summer signing was failed to make much of an impact before being replaced for the substitute after an hour on the pitch, but it emerged he wasn't needed in the final outcome.

Centre-back Van de Ven converted into an offensive threat to be reckoned with.

Tottenham's opening strike came from a cleverly executed set-piece play, with the midfielder heading the ball toward the six-yard box for an unmarked the defender to head home.

And Ven de Ven - stepping up as skipper in Cristian Romero's unavailability - notched his next goal in added time as he rose above Jordan Pickford to head home.

The Dutchman was equally outstanding in defence, partnering well with Kevin Danso as the pair dealt excellently with the 34 crosses thrown their way by the opposition.

Everton analysis: Everton missing striker's instinct

The club's new home had been a fortress, but it seems the freshness may have worn off somewhat and supporters flocked to the gates after the midfielder's final goal for Spurs.

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

The forward and Thierno Barry - the Toffees' two recognised strikers - had netted only one league goal between them before the weekend's outing.

And they were failed to contribute to that poor record on a damp and dreary evening on Merseyside.

The striker's form was summed up when he chose to overhead kick a golden opportunity from close range, despite having space and time to readjust for a more conventional shot that would have challenged the keeper.

Barry, too, was unable to make an impact after coming on for Beto in the 65th minute.

It wasn't for a shortage of chance. Most of the home side's offensive moves came through Grealish and the forward, who relentlessly whipped threatening balls into the Tottenham box.

Upcoming fixtures for these two sides?

The Toffees: Moyes' men travel to the Stadium of Light in the top flight on Monday, 3 November at 8 PM.

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

Richard Summers
Richard Summers

A seasoned casino enthusiast with over a decade of experience in gaming analysis and strategy development.