Van de Ven Double Ends The Toffees' Unbeaten Streak at Brand New Stadium

Micky van de Ven celebrating

Micky van de Ven became the initial defender to net twice in a Premier League game for Tottenham since the Belgian defender in spring 2013.

Match summary

  • Micky Van de Ven nods home two times in opening period

  • The home side's Jake O'Brien has goal disallowed after VAR review

  • Pape Matar Sarr scores final goal in dying moments

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

The Tottenham defender found the net twice as Tottenham prolonged their winning streak in away games in the top division and delivered the Toffees their first defeat at their new home.

Everton 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 end of the previous campaign.

But Spurs captain the Dutchman pounced twice from corners in the opening 45 minutes to place their strong form at jeopardy, and they were failed to turn it around before the midfielder - assisted by ex-Everton forward Richarlison - headed home a third to seal the victory.

The Everton defender thought he had levelled the scores five minutes after the defender's first goal, directing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an Everton corner.

The Portuguese striker, meanwhile, 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 without defeat in the Premier League.

But the VAR intervened, advising Craig Pawson to review the goal on the pitchside monitor and the official ruled that Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye were in offside positions and had impeded with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

This victory elevates Thomas Frank's team up to third in the Premier League, a handful of points off local foes and table-toppers the Gunners.

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

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

Following a drab midweek display in the European competition against Monaco, where they mustered a mere two shots on target, the manager opted for Randal Kolo Muani in attack instead of former Toffees player the Brazilian.

The new arrival was unable to influence the game before being substituted for Richarlison after an hour on the field, but it turns out he proved unnecessary in the end.

Centre-back Van de Ven converted into an attacking force to be reckoned with.

Tottenham's first goal came from a cleverly executed corner routine, with Rodrigo Bentancur heading the ball toward the face of goal for an unmarked the defender to head home.

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

The Dutchman was equally impressive in defence, combining effectively with his defensive colleague as the duo handled superbly with the 34 crosses thrown their way by the opposition.

Everton analysis: Toffees lacking striker's instinct

Everton's recent stadium had been a happy hunting ground, but it appears the freshness may have worn off somewhat and supporters headed to the exits after the midfielder's final goal for Spurs.

The end in the team's unbeaten home run will not be a major worry for the manager, but their striker situation are.

Beto and the other striker - the Toffees' pair of established strikers - had netted only a single goal combined before the weekend's match.

And they were unable to contribute 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 opportunity to readjust for a more conventional shot that would have challenged Vicario.

The substitute, too, was unable to influence the game after coming on for the starter in the 65th minute.

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

Upcoming fixtures for both teams?

The Toffees: The team travel to the Stadium of Light in the top flight on Monday, 3 November at 20:00 GMT.

Tottenham: Spurs go to St James' Park on late October for their fourth-round Carabao Cup tie against the Magpies.

Melissa Curtis
Melissa Curtis

Professional poker player and gaming analyst with over a decade of experience in competitive tournaments.