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

Micky van de Ven celebrating

The Dutch defender emerged as the initial defender to score two goals in a Premier League game for Spurs since the Belgian defender in spring 2013.

Key points

  • The Spurs defender nods home two times in first half

  • Everton's Jake O'Brien has equalizer ruled after video check

  • Pape Matar Sarr nets third in dying moments

  • The defeat is the Merseyside club's first at their new ground

The Tottenham defender scored on two occasions as Tottenham prolonged their winning streak on the road in the Premier League and delivered Everton their initial loss at their new home.

Everton were unbeaten in their last five matches at their recently opened stadium at the dockside location, having departed their historic home behind after more than a century at the end of the previous campaign.

But Spurs captain the Dutchman pounced twice from corners in the opening 45 minutes to put their impressive record at risk, and they were failed to mount a comeback before the midfielder - assisted by former Toffees attacker the Brazilian - nodded in a third to seal the victory.

Jake O'Brien thought he had equalized the scores a short while after the defender's first goal, directing a bullet header past the Spurs keeper 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 the London club went five matches on the road without defeat in the English top flight.

But the video assistant referee intervened, advising the match official to review the score on the pitchside monitor and the official decided that the winger and Iliman Ndiaye were in offside positions and had impeded with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

The win elevates Thomas Frank's team up to third in the division, five points off north London rivals and table-toppers Arsenal.

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

Tottenham analysis: Van de Ven fulfils role at each end of the field

After a drab weekday display in the Champions League against the French side, where they mustered a mere attempts on goal, the manager opted for the French striker in attack instead of ex-Everton forward Richarlison.

The summer signing was failed to influence the game before being replaced for the substitute after 60 minutes on the pitch, but it turns out he proved unnecessary in the final outcome.

Defender the Dutchman transformed into an attacking force to be reckoned with.

Tottenham's first goal came from a cleverly executed set-piece play, with the midfielder directing the ball toward the face of goal for an free the defender to head home.

And the captain - stepping up as skipper in Cristian Romero's unavailability - notched his next goal in first-half stoppage time as he rose above the England keeper to head home.

The Dutchman was equally outstanding in defence, combining well with his defensive colleague as the pair dealt superbly with the 34 crosses thrown their way by the opposition.

Toffees breakdown: Toffees 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 flocked to the gates after Sarr's third for Tottenham.

The end in Everton's winning streak at home won't be a massive concern for the manager, but their attacking woes will be.

The forward and Thierno Barry - the Everton's pair of recognised strikers - had netted just one league goal combined before the weekend's match.

And they were failed to add to that miserable tally on a damp and dreary evening on Merseyside.

The striker's performance was epitomized when he chose to bicycle-kick a golden opportunity from close range, despite having room and opportunity to reposition for a more conventional shot that would have challenged the keeper.

Barry, too, failed to make an impact after replacing the starter in the 65th minute.

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

What next for these two sides?

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

Tottenham: The London club go to Newcastle's ground on late October for their fourth-round League Cup tie against Newcastle.

Amy George
Amy George

Elara is a passionate astrophysicist and science writer, dedicated to making complex space topics accessible and exciting for all readers.