Micky van de Ven Double Halts The Toffees' Run at New Home Ground

Micky van de Ven celebrating

The Dutch defender emerged as the first defender to score two goals in a English top-flight game for Spurs since the Belgian defender in spring 2013.

Match summary

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

  • Everton's defender has equalizer disallowed after VAR review

  • Senegalese midfielder nets third in dying moments

  • This loss is the Merseyside club's first at Hill Dickinson Stadium

The Tottenham defender found the net twice as Tottenham extended their winning streak on the road in the top division and delivered the Toffees their initial loss at their new home.

Everton were unbeaten in their five previous fixtures at their new ground at the dockside location, having departed their historic home behind after 133 years at the end of the previous campaign.

But Spurs captain the Dutchman struck twice from set-pieces in the first half to put their strong form at risk, and they were failed to turn it around before the midfielder - set up by former Toffees attacker Richarlison - headed home a third to seal the victory.

The Everton defender believed he had equalized the tally a short while after Van de Ven's opener, directing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an Everton corner.

The Portuguese striker, in the meantime, missed a handful of chances, while the Italian goalkeeper made a series of excellent stops to ensure Tottenham went five matches on the road unbeaten in the English top flight.

But the VAR intervened, instructing the match official to check the score on the pitchside monitor and the referee decided that the winger and the attacker were in offside positions and had impeded with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

This victory moves Thomas Frank's team into third place in the division, five points off local foes and leaders the Gunners.

Everton remain in 14th position and sit half a dozen points ahead of the drop zone.

Tottenham analysis: The defender excels in role at both ends of pitch

Following a drab weekday display in the Champions League against the French side, where they mustered a mere attempts on goal, the manager chose the French striker up front instead of former Toffees player Richarlison.

The summer signing 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.

Defender Van de Ven converted into an attacking force to be feared.

Tottenham's opening strike came from a cleverly executed corner routine, with Rodrigo Bentancur heading the ball toward the six-yard box for an free Van de Ven to score.

And Ven de Ven - stepping up as skipper in the Argentine's absence - added his next goal in first-half stoppage time as he rose above Jordan Pickford to nod in.

Van de Ven was equally impressive in defence, combining well with Kevin Danso as the pair dealt excellently with the numerous deliveries thrown their way by the opposition.

Toffees breakdown: Everton lacking finishing touch

Everton's new home had been a happy hunting ground, but it seems the novelty may have worn off somewhat and fans headed to the exits after the midfielder's final goal for Tottenham.

The end in Everton's unbeaten home run will not be a massive worry for David Moyes, but their striker situation will be.

Beto and Thierno Barry - the Toffees' pair of recognised strikers - had scored just one league goal combined before Sunday's match.

And they were failed to add to that miserable record on a wet and gloomy evening on in Liverpool.

Beto's form was epitomized when he chose to bicycle-kick a golden opportunity 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, was unable to make an impact after coming on for 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 the forward, who tirelessly delivered dangerous balls into the Spurs box.

Upcoming fixtures for these two sides?

Everton: Moyes' men head to Sunderland in the Premier League on Monday, 3 November at 8 PM.

Tottenham: Spurs go to St James' Park on Wednesday, 29 October for their next round Carabao Cup tie against Newcastle.

Jeremy Benson
Jeremy Benson

Elara Vance is a digital strategist with over a decade of experience in SEO and content marketing, specializing in data-driven growth techniques.

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