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

Micky van de Ven celebrating

Micky van de Ven emerged as the first defender to net twice in a Premier League game for Tottenham since Jan Vertonghen in March 2013.

At a glance

  • Micky Van de Ven heads into the net two times in first half

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

  • Pape Matar Sarr nets third in 89th minute

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

Micky van de Ven scored on two occasions as Tottenham prolonged their unbeaten run in away games in the Premier League and handed Everton their first defeat at their new home.

Everton were undefeated in their five previous fixtures at their recently opened stadium at the dockside location, having left their historic home behind after more than a century at the conclusion of the previous campaign.

But Tottenham's leader Van de Ven pounced twice from corners in the first half to place their impressive record at jeopardy, and they were unable to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by former Toffees attacker Richarlison - headed home a third to seal the victory.

Jake O'Brien believed he had levelled the tally five minutes after Van de Ven's opener, directing a powerful header past Guglielmo Vicario from an Everton corner.

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

But the VAR intervened, advising the match official to check the goal 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 moves the manager's team into third place in the Premier League, five points off local foes and leaders Arsenal.

The Merseyside club remain in 14th position and sit half a dozen points clear of the drop zone.

Tottenham analysis: Van de Ven excels in role at both ends 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 chose the French striker in attack instead of former Toffees player Richarlison.

The summer signing 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 end.

Centre-back Van de Ven transformed into an offensive threat to be reckoned with.

Spurs' first goal came from a cleverly executed set-piece play, with the midfielder heading the ball toward the face of goal for an unmarked Van de Ven to score.

And the captain - stepping up as captain in Cristian Romero's unavailability - added his next goal in added time as he outjumped the England keeper to head home.

The Dutchman was equally outstanding in defensive duties, combining effectively with Kevin Danso as the pair dealt excellently with the numerous deliveries thrown their way by Everton.

Toffees breakdown: Everton missing striker's instinct

The club's new home had been a happy hunting ground, but it appears the freshness may have faded slightly and supporters headed to the gates after Sarr's third for Tottenham.

The end in the team's unbeaten home run won't be a major concern for the manager, but their attacking woes will be.

The forward and the other striker - the Toffees' pair of recognised centre-forwards - had scored only a single goal combined before the weekend's match.

And they were unable to contribute to that miserable tally on a wet and gloomy night on Merseyside.

Beto's performance was epitomized when he opted to bicycle-kick a golden opportunity from close range, even with having room and time to readjust for a simpler attempt that would have tested the keeper.

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

It was not for a shortage of chance. Most of the home side's attacks came through Grealish and Ndiaye, who relentlessly whipped dangerous crosses into the Spurs penalty area.

Upcoming fixtures for both teams?

The Toffees: The team travel to Sunderland in the Premier League on Monday, 3 November at 20:00 GMT.

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

Christopher Ramos
Christopher Ramos

A tech journalist specializing in gaming hardware and emerging technologies, with over a decade of industry experience.