Van de Ven Brace Halts Everton's Run at New Home Ground

Micky van de Ven celebrating

Micky van de Ven became the initial backline player to score two goals in a Premier League game for Tottenham since Jan Vertonghen in spring 2013.

Key points

  • The Spurs defender nods home two times in first half

  • Everton's defender has goal ruled after VAR review

  • Pape Matar Sarr scores final goal in 89th minute

  • The defeat is the Merseyside club's initial at Hill Dickinson Stadium

The Tottenham defender found the net twice as Tottenham prolonged their unbeaten run in away games in the top division and delivered Everton their initial loss at their new home.

Everton were undefeated in their last five matches at their new ground at the dockside location, having departed Goodison Park behind after more than a century at the end of the previous campaign.

But Spurs captain the Dutchman pounced on two occasions from set-pieces in the first half to place their impressive record at jeopardy, and they were unable to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - assisted by former Toffees attacker the Brazilian - nodded in a final goal to put the game to bed.

The Everton defender believed he had equalized the scores a short while after the defender's opener, glancing a powerful header past the Spurs keeper from an Everton corner.

The Portuguese striker, in the meantime, failed to convert a handful of opportunities, while the Italian goalkeeper made a series of excellent stops to guarantee Tottenham went five matches on the road unbeaten in the Premier League.

But the video assistant referee intervened, instructing the match official to check the score on the screen and the official decided that the winger and the attacker were in an illegal position and had impeded with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

This victory elevates the manager's side into third place in the Premier League, five points off local foes and leaders the Gunners.

Everton stay 14th and are half a dozen points ahead of the relegation zone.

Tottenham analysis: The defender fulfils role at each end of the field

After a uninspiring midweek performance in the European competition against the French side, where they managed a mere attempts on target, the manager opted for Randal Kolo Muani up front instead of former Toffees player Richarlison.

The new arrival was failed to make much of an impact before being replaced for the substitute after an hour on the field, but it turns out he wasn't needed in the end.

Defender Van de Ven transformed into an offensive threat to be feared.

Spurs' opening strike came from a cleverly executed corner routine, with the midfielder directing the ball toward the face of goal for an unmarked Van de Ven to score.

And the captain - stepping up as captain in the Argentine's absence - notched his second in first-half stoppage time as he rose above the England keeper to nod in.

Van de Ven was equally impressive in defence, combining effectively with Kevin Danso as the duo handled superbly with the numerous deliveries thrown their way by Everton.

Toffees breakdown: Everton missing finishing touch

The club's new home had been a happy hunting ground, but it appears the freshness may have worn off somewhat and fans flocked to the gates after Sarr's final goal for Spurs.

The end in the team's winning streak at home will not be a major worry for the manager, but their attacking woes are.

Beto and the other striker - the Toffees' pair of recognised strikers - had scored just a single goal combined before Sunday's match.

And they were failed to contribute to that poor record on a damp and dreary evening on in Liverpool.

The striker's performance was summed up when he chose to bicycle-kick a golden opportunity from close range, despite having space and opportunity to reposition for a more conventional attempt that would have tested Vicario.

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

It was not for a lack of opportunity. Most of the home side's offensive moves came through Grealish and Ndiaye, who tirelessly delivered dangerous crosses into the Spurs box.

Upcoming fixtures for both teams?

Everton: The team travel to Sunderland in the top flight on Monday, 3 November at 20:00 GMT.

Spurs: Spurs go to St James' Park on Wednesday, 29 October for their next round League Cup match against Newcastle.

Timothy Chavez
Timothy Chavez

Elena is a tech enthusiast specializing in wave propagation and data infrastructure, with over a decade of experience in signal processing research.