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

Micky van de Ven celebrating

The Dutch defender became the first defender to net twice in a English top-flight match for Tottenham since the Belgian defender in spring 2013.

Key points

  • The Spurs defender heads home two times in opening period

  • Everton's Jake O'Brien has goal ruled after VAR review

  • Pape Matar Sarr nets third in dying moments

  • The defeat is Everton's first at their new ground

The Tottenham defender scored on two occasions as Tottenham extended their winning streak in away games in the top division and handed Everton their initial loss at their new home.

The Toffees were unbeaten in their five previous fixtures at their recently opened stadium at the dockside location, having left their historic home behind after 133 years at the conclusion of last season.

But Spurs captain Van de Ven pounced twice from corners in the opening 45 minutes to put their strong form at jeopardy, and they were failed 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 levelled the tally five minutes after the defender's opener, directing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an set-piece.

The Portuguese striker, in the meantime, failed to convert a number of opportunities, while Vicario made a succession of excellent stops to guarantee the London club went five matches on the road without defeat in the English top flight.

But the VAR intervened, instructing the match official to review the score on the screen and the official decided that the winger and the attacker were in offside positions and had interfered with the Spurs keeper.

The win elevates Thomas Frank's side up to third in the division, a handful of points off local foes and leaders the Gunners.

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

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

Following a drab midweek performance in the European competition against the French side, where they managed a only two shots on goal, Frank chose the French striker up front instead of former Toffees player Richarlison.

The summer signing was unable to influence the game before being substituted for Richarlison after an hour on the field, but it emerged he wasn't needed in the end.

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

Spurs' first goal came from a well-worked corner routine, with Rodrigo Bentancur heading the ball back across the face of goal for an unmarked the defender to head home.

And Ven de Ven - filling in as skipper in Cristian Romero's absence - notched his second in added time as he outjumped the England keeper to head home.

Van de Ven was just as outstanding in defensive duties, partnering effectively with Kevin Danso as the pair dealt excellently with the 34 crosses thrown their way by Everton.

Everton analysis: Everton missing striker's instinct

The club's new home had been a happy hunting ground, but it seems the freshness may have worn off somewhat and supporters headed to the gates after Sarr's third for Spurs.

The break in Everton's unbeaten home run will not be a massive concern for David Moyes, but their striker situation are.

Beto and the other striker - the Everton's pair of established strikers - had netted just one league goal between them before the weekend's match.

And they were unable to contribute to that miserable record on a wet and gloomy evening on in Liverpool.

The striker's form was epitomized when he chose to overhead kick a clear chance from close range, even with having room and time to readjust for a more conventional attempt that would have challenged the keeper.

Barry, as well, was unable to make an impact after replacing Beto in the second half.

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

Upcoming fixtures for these two sides?

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

Tottenham: Spurs travel to Newcastle's ground on Wednesday, 29 October for their next round Carabao Cup match against the Magpies.

Frederick Mathis
Frederick Mathis

A former professional gamer turned esports journalist, specializing in competitive gaming analysis and community engagement.