Micky van de Ven Double Halts The Toffees' Unbeaten Streak at Brand New Home Ground

Micky van de Ven celebrating

The Dutch defender became the first backline player to score two goals in a Premier League match for Tottenham since Jan Vertonghen in spring 2013.

At a glance

  • The Spurs defender heads home twice in opening period

  • Everton's defender has equalizer ruled after video check

  • Pape Matar Sarr nets third in dying moments

  • This loss is the Merseyside club's initial at their new ground

The Tottenham defender scored twice as Spurs extended their winning streak in away games in the Premier League and delivered Everton their initial loss at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton were undefeated in their last five matches at their new ground at Bramley-Moore Dock, having left their historic home behind after more than a century at the conclusion of last season.

But Tottenham's leader the Dutchman pounced on two occasions from set-pieces in the opening 45 minutes to put their impressive record at risk, and they were unable 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 equalized the scores five minutes after Van de Ven's opener, glancing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an set-piece.

Beto, meanwhile, missed a handful of chances, while the Italian goalkeeper made a series of excellent stops to guarantee the London club went five matches on the road unbeaten in the Premier League.

But the VAR intervened, advising the match official to review the score on the pitchside monitor and the referee decided that Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye were in offside positions and had interfered with the Spurs keeper.

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

The Merseyside club stay in 14th position and are half a dozen points ahead of the relegation zone.

Tottenham analysis: The defender fulfils duties at both ends of pitch

After a drab weekday performance in the Champions League against Monaco, where they managed a only two shots on target, the manager opted for the French striker up front instead of ex-Everton forward Richarlison.

The summer signing was unable to make much of an impact before being replaced for the substitute after 60 minutes on the field, but it turns out he proved unnecessary in the end.

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

Spurs' opening strike came from a cleverly executed set-piece play, with the midfielder heading the ball toward the face of goal for an free the defender to head home.

And the captain - filling in as skipper in Cristian Romero's absence - added his next goal in added time as he rose above the England keeper to nod in.

The Dutchman was just as impressive in defensive duties, combining effectively with his defensive colleague as the pair dealt superbly with the 34 crosses thrown their way by Everton.

Toffees breakdown: Everton missing striker's instinct

Everton's new home had been a happy hunting ground, but it appears the freshness may have faded somewhat and fans flocked to the exits after the midfielder's final goal for Tottenham.

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

The forward and Thierno Barry - the Everton's two recognised strikers - had netted only a single goal between them before the weekend's outing.

And they were unable to add to that miserable record on a damp and dreary evening on Merseyside.

The striker's performance was epitomized when he opted to overhead kick a clear chance from near the goal, despite having space and time to reposition for a more conventional shot that would have challenged the keeper.

Barry, too, was unable to make an impact after replacing Beto in the 65th minute.

It was not for a shortage of chance. Most of Everton's offensive moves came through Grealish and the forward, who tirelessly whipped dangerous balls into the Tottenham penalty area.

What next for both teams?

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

Spurs: The London club travel to Newcastle's ground on Wednesday, 29 October for their fourth-round League Cup tie against the Magpies.

Antonio Riley
Antonio Riley

A digital strategist with over a decade of experience in SEO and content marketing, passionate about helping businesses grow online.