Van de Ven Double Halts The Toffees' Run at New Stadium

Micky van de Ven celebrating

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

Match summary

  • Micky Van de Ven heads into the net two times in opening period

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

  • Senegalese midfielder nets third in 89th minute

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

The Tottenham defender scored twice as Tottenham extended their unbeaten run on the road in the top division and handed the Toffees their initial loss at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The Toffees 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 conclusion of the previous campaign.

But Tottenham's leader the Dutchman pounced on two occasions from set-pieces in the first half 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 put the game to bed.

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

Beto, in the meantime, failed to convert a handful of opportunities, while Vicario made a series of excellent stops to guarantee Tottenham went five matches on the road unbeaten in the Premier League.

But the video assistant referee intervened, instructing Craig Pawson to check the score on the pitchside monitor and the referee decided that Jack Grealish and the attacker were in an illegal position and had interfered with the Spurs keeper.

The win moves Thomas Frank's team into third place in the Premier League, five points off north London rivals and leaders the Gunners.

The Merseyside club stay in 14th position and are six points ahead of the drop zone.

Tottenham analysis: The defender fulfils role at each end of pitch

Following a uninspiring weekday performance in the Champions League against Monaco, 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 make much of an impact before being substituted for the substitute after an hour on the field, but it turns out he wasn't needed in the end.

Centre-back the Dutchman transformed into an offensive threat to be reckoned with.

Spurs' first goal came from a cleverly executed set-piece play, with the midfielder directing the ball toward the face of goal for an free Van de Ven to head home.

And Ven de Ven - filling in as skipper in Cristian Romero's absence - added his second in first-half stoppage time as he outjumped Jordan Pickford to nod in.

The Dutchman was equally outstanding in defence, combining well with Kevin Danso as the duo handled excellently with the 34 crosses sent their way by Everton.

Everton analysis: Toffees missing finishing touch

Everton's new home had been a fortress, but it appears the freshness may have worn off slightly and supporters flocked to the exits after Sarr's final goal for Spurs.

The break in the team's winning streak at home will not be a massive worry for David Moyes, but their striker situation will be.

Beto and the other striker - the Everton's pair of established strikers - had scored only a single goal between them before Sunday's match.

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 overhead kick a clear chance from near the goal, despite having space and time to reposition for a more conventional attempt that would have tested the keeper.

The substitute, as well, was unable to influence the game after coming on for Beto in the 65th minute.

It wasn't for a lack of opportunity. Most of the home side's offensive moves came through the winger and the forward, who relentlessly whipped dangerous balls into the Spurs box.

What next for both teams?

Everton: The team travel to the Stadium of Light in the top flight on early November at 8 PM.

Spurs: The London club travel to St James' Park on Wednesday, 29 October for their fourth-round League Cup match against the Magpies.

Anna Austin
Anna Austin

A tech enthusiast and digital strategist with over a decade of experience in analyzing emerging technologies and their impact on society.