Van de Ven Double Halts Everton's Unbeaten Streak at Brand New Home Ground

Micky van de Ven celebrating

Micky van de Ven emerged as the initial backline player to net twice in a English top-flight match for Spurs since Jan Vertonghen in March 2013.

Key points

  • The Spurs defender nods into the net twice in first half

  • The home side's defender has goal disallowed after VAR review

  • Pape Matar Sarr scores third in dying moments

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

The Tottenham defender scored on two occasions as Tottenham extended their unbeaten run on the road in the Premier League and delivered the Toffees their first defeat at their new home.

Everton were unbeaten in their last five matches at their new ground at Bramley-Moore Dock, having departed Goodison Park behind after more than a century at the end of the previous campaign.

But Tottenham's leader the Dutchman pounced on two occasions from set-pieces in the opening 45 minutes to put their impressive record at jeopardy, and they were failed to mount a comeback before Pape Matar Sarr - assisted by former Toffees attacker the Brazilian - nodded in a third to put the game to bed.

Jake O'Brien thought he had levelled the scores a short while after the defender's first goal, directing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an Everton corner.

The Portuguese striker, in the meantime, failed to convert a number of chances, while the Italian goalkeeper made a succession of fine stops to guarantee the London club went five away games without defeat in the English top flight.

But the VAR intervened, advising the match official to review the score on the screen and the referee decided that Jack Grealish and the attacker were in an illegal position and had impeded with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

This victory elevates the manager's team up to third in the division, five points off local foes and table-toppers the Gunners.

The Merseyside club stay 14th and are six points ahead of the drop zone.

Spurs breakdown: Van de Ven excels in duties at both ends of the field

Following a drab weekday performance in the Champions League against Monaco, where they managed a mere two shots on target, Frank chose the French striker up front instead of former Toffees player Richarlison.

The new arrival was failed to make much of an impact before being substituted for Richarlison after 60 minutes on the pitch, but it emerged he proved unnecessary in the end.

Centre-back the Dutchman transformed into an attacking force to be feared.

Tottenham's opening strike came from a cleverly executed set-piece play, with Rodrigo Bentancur heading the ball back across the face of goal for an free the defender to head home.

And Ven de Ven - filling in as skipper in Cristian Romero's absence - notched his next goal in added time as he rose above the England keeper to head home.

The Dutchman was equally impressive in defensive duties, partnering well with his defensive colleague as the pair dealt excellently with the numerous deliveries thrown their way by Everton.

Toffees breakdown: Toffees lacking finishing touch

The club's recent stadium had been a happy hunting ground, but it appears 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 unbeaten home run won't be a massive concern for the manager, but their attacking woes are.

The forward and Thierno Barry - the Toffees' pair of recognised strikers - had netted just one league goal combined before Sunday's outing.

And they were unable to contribute to that miserable tally on a wet and gloomy evening on in Liverpool.

Beto's form was summed up when he chose to overhead kick a golden opportunity from close range, even with having room and opportunity to readjust for a more conventional attempt that would have tested Vicario.

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

It wasn't for a lack of chance. The majority of Everton's offensive moves came through Grealish and the forward, who tirelessly delivered dangerous crosses into the Spurs box.

What next for both teams?

The Toffees: The team travel to the Stadium of Light in the top flight on early November at 8 PM.

Tottenham: The London club travel to St James' Park on Wednesday, 29 October for their next round Carabao Cup match against the Magpies.

Barry Medina
Barry Medina

Elena is a seasoned life coach and author specializing in mindset transformation and luck optimization.