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

Micky van de Ven celebrating

The Dutch defender became the first defender to net two goals in a Premier League game for Spurs since the Belgian defender in March 2013.

Match summary

  • Micky Van de Ven heads into the net two times in opening period

  • The home side's Jake O'Brien has equalizer disallowed after VAR review

  • Pape Matar Sarr nets final goal in 89th minute

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

The Tottenham defender scored twice as Spurs prolonged their unbeaten run in away games in the Premier League and handed Everton their initial loss at their new home.

Everton were unbeaten in their five previous fixtures at their new ground at Bramley-Moore Dock, having departed their historic home behind after more than a century at the end of last season.

But Spurs captain Van de Ven struck twice from corners in the opening 45 minutes to put their impressive record at jeopardy, and they were unable to mount a comeback before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by former Toffees attacker the Brazilian - nodded in a final goal to seal the victory.

The Everton defender believed he had levelled the tally a short while after the defender's first goal, glancing a powerful header past Guglielmo Vicario from an Everton corner.

The Portuguese striker, meanwhile, failed to convert a number of chances, while Vicario made a series of fine saves to ensure the London club went five matches on the road without defeat in the English top flight.

But the VAR stepped in, instructing the match official to check the score on the screen and the official ruled that the winger and Iliman Ndiaye were in offside positions and had interfered with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

The win elevates the manager's team into third place in the Premier League, five points off north London rivals and leaders the Gunners.

Everton remain 14th and are half a dozen points clear of the relegation zone.

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

Following a drab midweek performance in the European competition against the French side, where they mustered a mere two shots on goal, the manager chose Randal Kolo Muani in attack instead of ex-Everton forward Richarlison.

The summer signing was failed to influence the game before being substituted for Richarlison after an hour on the field, but it turns out he wasn't needed in the final outcome.

Defender Van de Ven transformed into an attacking force to be feared.

Tottenham's opening strike came from a well-worked corner routine, with the midfielder directing the ball toward the face of goal for an unmarked the defender to score.

And the captain - filling in as captain in Cristian Romero's absence - added his second in added time as he outjumped Jordan Pickford to head home.

Van de Ven was equally outstanding in defence, combining well with his defensive colleague as the duo dealt superbly with the 34 crosses thrown their way by the opposition.

Everton analysis: Toffees missing striker's instinct

The club's new home had been a happy hunting ground, but it appears the novelty may have worn off slightly and supporters headed to the exits after the midfielder's final goal for Tottenham.

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

The forward and Thierno Barry - the Everton's two recognised strikers - had scored just a single goal between them before the weekend's match.

And they were unable to add to that poor tally on a wet and gloomy night on Merseyside.

The striker's form was epitomized when he chose to overhead kick a golden opportunity from close range, even with having space and time to reposition for a simpler attempt that would have tested the keeper.

Barry, too, failed to influence the game after coming on for Beto in the 65th minute.

It was not for a lack of opportunity. The majority of Everton's attacks came through Grealish and the forward, who tirelessly whipped dangerous crosses into the Spurs box.

What next for these two sides?

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 Carabao Cup tie against Newcastle.

Ruth Murphy
Ruth Murphy

A passionate web developer and tech enthusiast sharing knowledge and experiences in modern web technologies.