Micky 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 backline player to score two goals in a English top-flight game for Tottenham since Jan Vertonghen in spring 2013.

Match summary

  • The Spurs defender heads home two times in first half

  • Everton's Jake O'Brien has goal ruled after video check

  • Senegalese midfielder scores final goal in dying moments

  • This loss is Everton's initial at their new ground

Micky van de Ven found the net on two occasions as Spurs prolonged their unbeaten run in away games in the Premier League and handed the Toffees their first defeat at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton were unbeaten in their last five matches at their recently opened stadium at the dockside location, having left Goodison Park behind after more than a century at the end of the previous campaign.

But Tottenham's leader the Dutchman pounced on two occasions from corners in the opening 45 minutes to put their strong form at jeopardy, and they were unable to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by ex-Everton forward the Brazilian - headed home a final goal to put the game to bed.

Jake O'Brien believed he had levelled the scores a short while after Van de Ven's opener, directing a powerful header past Guglielmo Vicario from an set-piece.

Beto, in the meantime, missed a handful of opportunities, while Vicario made a succession of excellent stops to ensure the London club went five matches on the road unbeaten in the English top flight.

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

This victory moves Thomas Frank's side into third place in the Premier League, five points off local foes and table-toppers the Gunners.

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

Spurs breakdown: Van de Ven excels in role at each end of the field

After a uninspiring midweek performance in the Champions League against the French side, where they mustered a only attempts on target, Frank opted for Randal Kolo Muani in attack instead of former Toffees player the Brazilian.

The summer signing was failed to influence the game before being substituted for the substitute after an hour on the pitch, but it emerged he wasn't needed in the final outcome.

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

Tottenham's opening strike came from a cleverly executed corner routine, with Rodrigo Bentancur directing the ball back across the six-yard box for an free the defender to head home.

And Ven de Ven - filling in as captain in the Argentine's absence - notched his next goal in first-half stoppage time as he rose above the England keeper to head home.

Van de Ven was just as outstanding in defence, partnering effectively with Kevin Danso as the duo handled excellently with the numerous deliveries thrown their way by the opposition.

Everton analysis: Toffees missing finishing touch

The club's recent stadium had been a happy hunting ground, but it appears the novelty may have worn off somewhat and supporters flocked to the exits after Sarr's final goal for Spurs.

The end in Everton's unbeaten home run won't be a massive concern for the manager, but their attacking woes are.

Beto and the other striker - the Everton's pair of recognised strikers - had netted just one league goal combined before the weekend's outing.

And they were failed to contribute to that miserable tally on a wet and gloomy night on Merseyside.

The striker's form was epitomized when he chose to bicycle-kick a clear chance from close range, despite having room and time to reposition for a simpler attempt that would have tested Vicario.

Barry, as well, was unable to make an impact after replacing Beto in the 65th minute.

It wasn't for a lack of opportunity. The majority of the home side's attacks came through Grealish and the forward, who tirelessly delivered dangerous balls into the Tottenham box.

What next for both teams?

The Toffees: The team travel to the Stadium of Light in the Premier League on early November at 20:00 GMT.

Tottenham: The London club travel to Newcastle's ground on Wednesday, 29 October for their next round Carabao Cup match against Newcastle.

Brian Byrd
Brian Byrd

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