Van de Ven Brace Ends Everton's Unbeaten Streak at New Stadium

Micky van de Ven celebrating

The Dutch defender emerged as the initial defender to score twice in a Premier League game for Spurs since Jan Vertonghen in March 2013.

Key points

  • The Spurs defender nods into the net twice in first half

  • Everton's defender has goal disallowed after video check

  • Senegalese midfielder scores final goal in dying moments

  • This loss is the Merseyside club's initial at Hill Dickinson Stadium

The Tottenham defender scored on two occasions as Tottenham extended their unbeaten run in away games in the Premier League and delivered Everton their initial loss at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The Toffees were undefeated in their last five matches at their recently opened stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, having left Goodison Park behind after 133 years at the conclusion of last season.

But Spurs captain the Dutchman pounced on two occasions from corners in the first half to put their strong form at jeopardy, and they were failed to turn it around before the midfielder - set up by ex-Everton forward the Brazilian - nodded in a third to put the game to bed.

The Everton defender thought he had levelled the scores five minutes after Van de Ven's first goal, glancing a bullet header past the Spurs keeper from an Everton corner.

The Portuguese striker, meanwhile, failed to convert a handful of chances, while the Italian goalkeeper made a series of excellent stops to guarantee Tottenham went five away games unbeaten in the English top flight.

But the VAR intervened, advising Craig Pawson to check the goal on the pitchside monitor and the referee decided that Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye were in an illegal position and had interfered with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

The win moves the manager's team into third place in the Premier League, a handful of points off local foes and table-toppers the Gunners.

Everton stay in 14th position and are half a dozen points clear of the relegation zone.

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

After a drab midweek display in the Champions League against the French side, where they mustered a mere attempts on target, Frank chose Randal Kolo Muani in attack instead of former Toffees player the Brazilian.

The new arrival was failed to make much of an impact before being substituted for the substitute after 60 minutes on the pitch, but it emerged he wasn't needed in the final outcome.

Centre-back the Dutchman converted into an offensive threat to be feared.

Tottenham's first goal came from a well-worked corner routine, with Rodrigo Bentancur heading the ball toward the six-yard box for an unmarked Van de Ven to score.

And the captain - filling in as captain in the Argentine's absence - added his second in added time as he outjumped the England keeper to head home.

Van de Ven was just as outstanding in defence, combining well with Kevin Danso as the duo handled excellently with the 34 crosses thrown their way by Everton.

Toffees breakdown: Toffees missing finishing touch

Everton's recent stadium had been a happy hunting ground, but it appears the freshness may have faded somewhat and fans headed to the gates after Sarr's final goal for Tottenham.

The end in the team's winning streak at home won't be a major concern for David Moyes, but their striker situation will be.

The forward and Thierno Barry - the Toffees' pair of recognised strikers - had netted only one league goal between them before the weekend's outing.

And they were failed to contribute to that poor tally on a wet and gloomy night on Merseyside.

Beto's performance 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, as well, was unable to influence the game after replacing the starter in the second half.

It wasn't for a lack of chance. The majority of the home side's attacks came through Grealish and the forward, who tirelessly whipped threatening crosses into the Spurs box.

What next for these two sides?

Everton: The team travel to Sunderland in the top flight on early November at 8 PM.

Spurs: The London club go to Newcastle's ground on Wednesday, 29 October for their next round League Cup match against Newcastle.

Jeanne Jones
Jeanne Jones

A tech journalist and digital strategist with over a decade of experience covering emerging trends and innovations.