Micky van de Ven Double Ends The Toffees' Unbeaten Streak at New Stadium

Micky van de Ven celebrating

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

Match summary

  • The Spurs defender nods home two times in opening period

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

  • Pape Matar Sarr nets final goal in 89th minute

  • This loss is Everton's initial 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 the Toffees their first defeat at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton were undefeated in their five previous fixtures at their new ground at the dockside location, having departed Goodison Park behind after 133 years at the conclusion of the previous campaign.

But Tottenham's leader Van de Ven pounced on two occasions from set-pieces in the opening 45 minutes to place their strong form at risk, and they were failed to mount a comeback before Pape Matar Sarr - set up 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, glancing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an Everton corner.

The Portuguese striker, meanwhile, failed to convert a number of opportunities, while the Italian goalkeeper made a series of excellent stops to ensure the London club went five away games without defeat in the English top flight.

But the video assistant referee stepped in, advising Craig Pawson to review the score on the pitchside monitor and the official decided that the winger and the attacker were in an illegal position and had impeded with the Spurs keeper.

The win elevates the manager's side into third place in the Premier League, a handful of points off north London rivals and leaders the Gunners.

Everton stay 14th and are six points clear of the drop zone.

Spurs breakdown: Van de Ven excels in role at each end of the field

Following a drab midweek display in the European competition against Monaco, where they mustered a mere attempts on target, the manager opted for the French striker in attack instead of ex-Everton forward Richarlison.

The new arrival was failed to influence the game before being replaced for the substitute after an hour on the pitch, but it emerged he proved unnecessary in the final outcome.

Defender the Dutchman transformed into an attacking force to be feared.

Spurs' first goal came from a well-worked set-piece play, with Rodrigo Bentancur directing the ball toward the face of goal for an unmarked the defender to score.

And Ven de Ven - filling in as captain in the Argentine's unavailability - added his next goal in first-half stoppage time as he outjumped Jordan Pickford to head home.

Van de Ven was equally impressive in defensive duties, partnering effectively with his defensive colleague as the duo dealt superbly with the 34 crosses sent their way by the opposition.

Toffees breakdown: Everton lacking finishing touch

The club's recent stadium had been a happy hunting ground, but it seems the novelty may have faded somewhat and supporters headed to the gates after Sarr's final goal for Spurs.

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

Beto and the other striker - the Everton's two established strikers - had scored only one league goal combined before the weekend's match.

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

The striker's performance was summed up when he opted to bicycle-kick a clear chance from near the goal, even with having room and opportunity to readjust for a more conventional shot that would have tested the keeper.

Barry, as well, failed to make an impact after coming on for the starter in the 65th minute.

It was not for a shortage of opportunity. The majority of the home side's offensive moves came through Grealish and the forward, who relentlessly delivered threatening crosses into the Spurs box.

Upcoming fixtures for both teams?

The Toffees: Moyes' men travel to Sunderland in the top flight on early November at 8 PM.

Spurs: Spurs travel to Newcastle's ground on Wednesday, 29 October for their fourth-round League Cup match against Newcastle.

Cody Graham
Cody Graham

Renewable energy advocate and sustainability writer with over a decade of experience in eco-tech innovations.