Micky van de Ven Brace Ends Everton's Unbeaten Streak at New Stadium

Micky van de Ven celebrating

Micky van de Ven emerged as the first backline player to net twice in a English top-flight game for Tottenham since Jan Vertonghen in spring 2013.

Match summary

  • The Spurs defender heads into the net twice in first half

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

  • Senegalese midfielder scores final goal in 89th minute

  • This loss is the Merseyside club's initial at their new ground

The Tottenham defender found the net twice as Spurs prolonged their unbeaten run on the road in the top division and handed Everton their initial loss at their new home.

Everton were unbeaten in their five previous fixtures at their new ground at the dockside location, having left Goodison Park behind after more than a century at the conclusion of the previous campaign.

But Spurs captain the Dutchman pounced on two occasions from set-pieces in the opening 45 minutes to place their strong form at jeopardy, and they were unable to turn it around before the midfielder - assisted by ex-Everton forward Richarlison - nodded in a final goal to seal the victory.

Jake O'Brien thought he had levelled the scores five minutes after the defender's opener, glancing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an set-piece.

The Portuguese striker, meanwhile, failed to convert a handful of chances, while the Italian goalkeeper made a series of fine saves to guarantee Tottenham went five matches on the road without defeat in the English top flight.

But the video assistant referee intervened, advising the match official to review the score on the pitchside monitor and the official decided that the winger and the attacker were in offside positions and had impeded with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

The win elevates the manager's side into third place in the Premier League, a handful of points off north London rivals and table-toppers the Gunners.

The Merseyside club stay in 14th position and sit half a dozen points ahead of the relegation zone.

Tottenham analysis: Van de Ven excels in duties at each end of pitch

After a uninspiring weekday performance in the European competition against the French side, where they mustered a mere attempts on target, the manager chose the French striker up front instead of former Toffees player Richarlison.

The summer signing was unable to influence the game before being substituted for Richarlison after an hour on the field, but it turns out he proved unnecessary in the final outcome.

Defender the Dutchman 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 face of goal for an free the defender to score.

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

The Dutchman was equally impressive in defence, combining well with his defensive colleague as the duo handled excellently with the 34 crosses thrown their way by the opposition.

Toffees breakdown: Toffees missing striker's instinct

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

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

Beto and the other striker - the Everton's two recognised strikers - had scored just one league goal combined before Sunday's outing.

And they were unable to add to that poor tally on a damp and dreary evening on in Liverpool.

Beto's performance was epitomized when he chose to overhead kick a golden opportunity from near the goal, despite having room and opportunity to reposition for a more conventional shot that would have challenged Vicario.

The substitute, too, failed to influence the game after replacing the starter in the second half.

It was not for a shortage of opportunity. Most of the home side's attacks came through Grealish and the forward, who relentlessly whipped threatening balls into the Spurs penalty area.

What next for these two sides?

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

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

Gregory Howard
Gregory Howard

Elara is a passionate storyteller and lifestyle coach dedicated to sharing insights that inspire personal growth and creativity.