Van de Ven Brace Halts The Toffees' Unbeaten Streak at New Stadium

Micky van de Ven celebrating

The Dutch defender became the first backline player to score two goals in a English top-flight match for Tottenham since the Belgian defender in March 2013.

Key points

  • The Spurs defender nods home two times in opening period

  • The home side's Jake O'Brien has equalizer disallowed after video check

  • Senegalese midfielder scores third in dying moments

  • The defeat is the Merseyside club's first at Hill Dickinson Stadium

The Tottenham defender found the net twice as Tottenham prolonged their unbeaten run in away games in the top division and handed the Toffees their first defeat at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton were undefeated in their five previous fixtures at their recently opened stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, having left their historic home behind after more than a century at the conclusion of last season.

But Tottenham's leader Van de Ven struck twice from corners in the first half to place their impressive record at risk, and they were failed to mount a comeback before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by former Toffees attacker Richarlison - nodded in a final goal to seal the victory.

Jake O'Brien thought he had equalized the scores a short while after the defender's first goal, directing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an Everton corner.

The Portuguese striker, meanwhile, missed a handful of opportunities, while Vicario made a series of excellent saves to guarantee Tottenham went five away games unbeaten in the English top flight.

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

The win elevates Thomas Frank's side into third place in the Premier League, a handful of points off local foes and leaders the Gunners.

Everton remain in 14th position and are half a dozen points ahead of the drop zone.

Spurs breakdown: Van de Ven fulfils duties at each end of pitch

Following a uninspiring midweek display in the Champions League against Monaco, where they mustered a only attempts on target, the manager chose 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 the substitute after 60 minutes on the pitch, but it turns out he wasn't needed in the final outcome.

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

Tottenham's first goal came from a well-worked corner routine, with the midfielder directing the ball back across the face of goal for an unmarked the defender to head home.

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

Van de Ven was just as outstanding in defence, partnering effectively with Kevin Danso as the pair dealt superbly with the numerous deliveries sent their way by Everton.

Toffees breakdown: Everton missing finishing touch

Everton's recent stadium had been a fortress, but it appears the freshness may have faded slightly and supporters headed to the exits after the midfielder's final goal for Tottenham.

The break in the team's winning streak at home won't be a massive worry for David Moyes, but their attacking woes are.

Beto and the other striker - the Toffees' two recognised strikers - had scored just a single goal between them before Sunday's outing.

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

The striker's performance was epitomized when he chose to bicycle-kick a clear chance from near the goal, even with having space and opportunity to readjust for a simpler shot that would have tested the keeper.

Barry, as well, failed to influence the game after replacing the starter in the 65th minute.

It wasn't for a shortage of opportunity. The majority of the home side's offensive moves came through Grealish and the forward, who tirelessly delivered threatening balls into the Tottenham penalty area.

What next for both teams?

The Toffees: Moyes' men travel to the Stadium of Light in the Premier League on Monday, 3 November at 8 PM.

Tottenham: Spurs go to St James' Park on Wednesday, 29 October for their fourth-round Carabao Cup match against Newcastle.

Haley Martinez
Haley Martinez

A London-based tech journalist specializing in startup ecosystems and digital transformation across the UK.