Micky van de Ven Double Halts Everton's Run at Brand New Stadium

Micky van de Ven celebrating

The Dutch defender became the first backline player to score twice in a English top-flight game for Spurs since Jan Vertonghen in March 2013.

Match summary

  • Micky Van de Ven heads into the net twice in first half

  • The home side's defender has equalizer disallowed after VAR review

  • Pape Matar Sarr scores final goal in 89th minute

  • This loss is Everton's initial at Hill Dickinson Stadium

Micky van de Ven scored on two occasions as Tottenham prolonged their unbeaten run on the road in the top division and handed the Toffees their first defeat at their new home.

The Toffees were undefeated in their five previous fixtures at their new ground at Bramley-Moore Dock, having departed Goodison Park behind after more than a century at the end of the previous campaign.

But Tottenham's leader Van de Ven pounced twice from corners in the first half to put their strong form at jeopardy, and they were unable to mount a comeback before Pape Matar Sarr - assisted by former Toffees attacker the Brazilian - nodded in a third to seal the victory.

The Everton defender thought he had equalized the tally a short while after the defender's first goal, glancing a bullet header past the Spurs keeper from an Everton corner.

The Portuguese striker, in the meantime, missed a number of chances, while the Italian goalkeeper made a series of excellent stops to ensure the London club went five away games unbeaten in the Premier League.

But the video assistant referee intervened, instructing the match official to review the goal on the pitchside monitor and the official ruled that the winger and Iliman Ndiaye were in offside positions and had impeded with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

The win moves the manager's side into third place in the Premier League, a handful of points off north London rivals and table-toppers the Gunners.

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

Tottenham analysis: The defender excels in role at both ends of pitch

After a uninspiring midweek display in the European competition against the French side, where they managed a only attempts on goal, the manager opted for Randal Kolo Muani in attack instead of former Toffees player the Brazilian.

The summer signing was unable to influence the game before being substituted for the substitute after an hour on the pitch, but it turns out he proved unnecessary in the end.

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

Tottenham's opening strike came from a cleverly executed corner routine, with the midfielder directing the ball toward the face of goal for an free Van de Ven to head home.

And the captain - filling in as captain in Cristian Romero's unavailability - added his next goal in added time as he outjumped the England keeper to nod in.

Van de Ven was equally impressive in defensive duties, partnering effectively with Kevin Danso as the pair dealt superbly with the numerous deliveries thrown their way by the opposition.

Everton analysis: Everton missing finishing touch

The club's new home had been a fortress, but it seems the freshness may have faded somewhat and supporters headed to the exits after Sarr's final goal for Tottenham.

The break in Everton's winning streak at home will not be a major concern for the manager, but their striker situation are.

The forward and the other striker - the Toffees' two established strikers - had netted only a single goal combined before the weekend's match.

And they were failed to contribute to that miserable tally on a damp and dreary evening on Merseyside.

Beto's form was summed up when he chose to overhead kick a clear chance from near the goal, despite having room and time to readjust for a more conventional shot that would have tested the keeper.

The substitute, too, was unable to make an impact after coming on for the starter in the second half.

It was not for a lack of chance. The majority of the home side's offensive moves came through Grealish and Ndiaye, who tirelessly delivered dangerous balls into the Tottenham box.

What next for both teams?

The Toffees: The team head to Sunderland in the top flight on Monday, 3 November at 8 PM.

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

Danielle Parker
Danielle Parker

A passionate photographer and visual artist with over a decade of experience in capturing moments and teaching creative techniques.