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

Micky van de Ven celebrating

Micky van de Ven became the first defender to net two goals in a Premier League match for Tottenham since Jan Vertonghen in spring 2013.

At a glance

  • Micky Van de Ven nods home twice in opening period

  • Everton's Jake O'Brien has goal ruled after VAR review

  • Senegalese midfielder nets final goal in dying moments

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

The Tottenham defender found the net twice as Tottenham extended their unbeaten run on the road in the Premier League and handed Everton their first defeat at their new home.

The Toffees were unbeaten in their last five matches at their new ground at Bramley-Moore Dock, having left Goodison Park behind after more than a century at the conclusion of last season.

But Tottenham's leader Van de Ven struck twice from corners in the opening 45 minutes to place 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 put the game to bed.

Jake O'Brien believed he had equalized the tally five minutes after Van de Ven's first goal, directing 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 VAR intervened, advising the match official to check the score on the screen and the referee decided that the winger and Iliman Ndiaye were in offside positions and had impeded with the Spurs keeper.

The win elevates Thomas Frank's side into third place in the Premier League, five points off local foes and table-toppers Arsenal.

Everton remain 14th and are six points clear of the relegation zone.

Spurs breakdown: The defender excels in role at both ends of pitch

After a uninspiring midweek performance in the European competition against Monaco, where they mustered a mere attempts on target, Frank opted for Randal Kolo Muani in attack instead of former Toffees player the Brazilian.

The new arrival was failed to make much of an impact before being replaced for the substitute after 60 minutes on the field, but it emerged he wasn't needed in the final outcome.

Defender Van de Ven converted into an attacking force 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 the captain - filling in as captain in the Argentine's unavailability - notched his second in added time as he rose above the England keeper to nod in.

Van de Ven was just as outstanding in defensive duties, partnering well with his defensive colleague as the duo handled superbly with the 34 crosses thrown their way by Everton.

Toffees breakdown: Toffees missing striker's instinct

The club's new home had been a fortress, but it appears the novelty may have worn off somewhat and fans headed to the gates after Sarr's final goal for Spurs.

The break in Everton's unbeaten home run will not be a major worry for the manager, but their striker situation are.

The forward and Thierno Barry - the Toffees' two established strikers - had scored just one league goal between them before Sunday's outing.

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

The striker's form was summed up when he chose to bicycle-kick a golden opportunity from close range, even with having room and opportunity to readjust for a simpler attempt that would have challenged the keeper.

Barry, as well, failed to make an impact after replacing Beto in the second half.

It wasn't for a lack of chance. The majority of the home side's attacks came through Grealish and the forward, who tirelessly delivered threatening crosses into the Spurs penalty area.

Upcoming fixtures for both teams?

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

Spurs: Spurs travel to St James' Park on Wednesday, 29 October for their fourth-round League Cup tie against Newcastle.

Richard Barajas
Richard Barajas

A space technology journalist with a background in astrophysics, passionate about making complex space topics accessible to everyone.