Van de Ven Brace Ends The Toffees' Run at New Stadium

Micky van de Ven celebrating

Micky van de Ven became the first defender to score two goals in a Premier League match for Tottenham since the Belgian defender in spring 2013.

Match summary

  • Micky Van de Ven nods home two times in first half

  • The home side's defender has equalizer ruled after video check

  • Senegalese midfielder nets third in dying moments

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

The Tottenham defender found the net twice as Spurs prolonged their winning streak in away games in the Premier League and delivered Everton their first defeat at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The Toffees were unbeaten in their five previous fixtures at their new ground at Bramley-Moore Dock, having left their historic home 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 place their strong form at jeopardy, and they were failed to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by ex-Everton forward Richarlison - headed home a final goal to seal the victory.

The Everton defender believed he had equalized the tally 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 chances, while the Italian goalkeeper made a series of excellent stops to guarantee the London club went five matches on the road unbeaten in the English top flight.

But the VAR stepped in, instructing the match official to check the goal on the screen and the official ruled that Jack Grealish and the attacker were in an illegal position and had impeded with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

This victory moves the manager's side up to third in the Premier League, a handful of points off local foes and leaders the Gunners.

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

Spurs breakdown: The defender fulfils duties at each end of pitch

After a drab weekday performance in the Champions League against the French side, where they managed a mere two shots on goal, the manager chose Randal Kolo Muani in attack instead of former Toffees player Richarlison.

The new arrival was failed to make much of an impact before being substituted for Richarlison after 60 minutes on the field, but it emerged he proved unnecessary in the final outcome.

Centre-back the Dutchman converted into an attacking force to be feared.

Tottenham's first goal came from a cleverly executed set-piece play, with Rodrigo Bentancur directing the ball back across the face of goal for an unmarked Van de Ven to score.

And Ven de Ven - stepping up as captain in Cristian Romero's absence - notched his second in added time as he outjumped Jordan Pickford to head home.

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

Everton analysis: Everton missing finishing touch

The club's new home had been a fortress, but it appears the novelty may have faded somewhat and supporters flocked to the exits after the midfielder's final goal for Spurs.

The break in Everton's unbeaten home run will not be a massive concern for the manager, but their attacking woes are.

Beto and Thierno Barry - the Toffees' two recognised strikers - had netted just a single goal between them before Sunday's match.

And they were failed to add to that miserable tally on a wet and gloomy evening on in Liverpool.

The striker's performance was epitomized when he chose to overhead kick a clear chance from near the goal, despite having space and opportunity to reposition for a simpler attempt that would have challenged Vicario.

Barry, too, failed to make an impact after coming on for Beto in the 65th minute.

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

What next for these two sides?

The Toffees: Moyes' men head to the Stadium of Light in the top flight on Monday, 3 November at 8 PM.

Spurs: Spurs go to St James' Park on late October for their fourth-round League Cup match against Newcastle.

Susan Lewis
Susan Lewis

Eleanor Vance is a seasoned journalist with over a decade of experience covering UK politics and social affairs for major publications.