Van de Ven Brace Halts The Toffees' Run at New Home Ground

Micky van de Ven celebrating

Micky van de Ven emerged as the initial backline player to score twice in a English top-flight match for Spurs since Jan Vertonghen in March 2013.

At a glance

  • Micky Van de Ven heads home twice in first half

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

  • Senegalese midfielder nets final goal in 89th minute

  • The defeat is Everton's first at their new ground

Micky van de Ven found the net on two occasions as Spurs prolonged their winning streak in away games in the top division and handed Everton their first defeat at their new home.

The Toffees were unbeaten in their last five matches at their recently opened stadium at the dockside location, having left their historic home behind after 133 years at the conclusion of last season.

But Spurs captain Van de Ven struck twice from set-pieces in the first half to put their impressive record at risk, and they were unable to mount a comeback before Pape Matar Sarr - assisted by former Toffees attacker 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 the defender's first goal, glancing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an Everton corner.

Beto, in the meantime, missed a number of chances, while the Italian goalkeeper made a series of excellent saves to ensure the London club went five away games unbeaten in the English top flight.

But the video assistant referee stepped in, advising Craig Pawson to check the goal on the screen and the official ruled that Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye were in an illegal position and had impeded with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

The win moves the manager's side up to third in the division, a handful of points off north London rivals and leaders Arsenal.

Everton stay in 14th position and sit six points ahead of the drop zone.

Spurs breakdown: The defender fulfils role at both ends of the field

Following a drab weekday performance in the European competition against the French side, where they managed a only two shots on goal, the manager chose Randal Kolo Muani up front instead of former Toffees player the Brazilian.

The new arrival was failed to make much of an impact before being replaced for Richarlison after an hour on the pitch, but it turns out he wasn't needed in the final outcome.

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

Spurs' first goal came from a cleverly executed corner routine, with Rodrigo Bentancur directing the ball back across the six-yard box for an unmarked Van de Ven to head home.

And the captain - stepping up as skipper in the Argentine's unavailability - added his next goal in first-half stoppage time as he rose above the England keeper to nod in.

The Dutchman was equally outstanding in defensive duties, combining effectively with his defensive colleague as the duo dealt excellently with the numerous deliveries sent their way by Everton.

Toffees breakdown: Everton missing finishing touch

The club's new home had been a fortress, but it appears the novelty may have faded slightly and fans headed to the gates after the midfielder's third for Tottenham.

The break in the team's winning streak at home won't be a major worry for the manager, but their attacking woes will be.

Beto and Thierno Barry - the Toffees' pair of recognised strikers - had netted just one league goal between them before Sunday's outing.

And they were failed to contribute to that poor record on a wet and gloomy night on Merseyside.

Beto's form was epitomized when he chose to bicycle-kick a clear chance from near the goal, even with having room and time to readjust for a more conventional attempt 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 wasn't for a shortage of chance. Most of the home side's offensive moves came through Grealish and Ndiaye, who relentlessly whipped threatening crosses into the Tottenham penalty area.

What next for these two sides?

The Toffees: The team head to Sunderland in the top flight on early November at 20:00 GMT.

Tottenham: The London club go to St James' Park on late October for their fourth-round Carabao Cup match against the Magpies.

Kellie Scott
Kellie Scott

A tech enthusiast and lifestyle writer with over a decade of experience in digital media and innovation trends.