Micky van de Ven Brace Ends Everton's Run at Brand New Stadium

Micky van de Ven celebrating

The Dutch defender became the initial backline player to score two goals in a Premier League match for Tottenham since Jan Vertonghen in spring 2013.

Match summary

  • The Spurs defender heads into the net two times in opening period

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

  • Pape Matar Sarr nets final goal in dying moments

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

The Tottenham defender scored twice as Tottenham prolonged their unbeaten run in away games in the top division and delivered the Toffees their initial loss at their new home.

Everton were undefeated in their five previous fixtures 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 Tottenham's leader Van de Ven struck on two occasions from corners in the opening 45 minutes to place their strong form at jeopardy, and they were unable to mount a comeback before Pape Matar Sarr - assisted by ex-Everton forward Richarlison - nodded in a final goal to put the game to bed.

The Everton defender believed he had equalized the tally a short while after the defender's opener, directing a powerful header past Guglielmo Vicario from an Everton corner.

Beto, in the meantime, failed to convert a number of opportunities, while the Italian goalkeeper made a series of fine stops to guarantee Tottenham went five away games unbeaten in the Premier League.

But the VAR intervened, advising Craig Pawson to review the score on the screen and the referee decided that the winger and the attacker were in offside positions and had interfered with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

The win moves Thomas Frank's team into third place in the division, a handful of points off north London rivals and table-toppers the Gunners.

The Merseyside club remain 14th and are half a dozen points ahead of the drop zone.

Spurs breakdown: The defender fulfils role at each end of pitch

After a uninspiring weekday display in the European competition against Monaco, where they managed a only attempts on target, the manager opted for Randal Kolo Muani up front instead of ex-Everton forward Richarlison.

The new arrival was failed to influence the game before being replaced for the substitute after an hour on the pitch, but it emerged he proved unnecessary in the end.

Defender the Dutchman transformed into an attacking force to be reckoned with.

Tottenham's opening strike came from a well-worked set-piece play, with Rodrigo Bentancur directing the ball toward the face of goal for an unmarked Van de Ven to head home.

And Ven de Ven - filling in as skipper in the Argentine's absence - notched his next goal in first-half stoppage time as he outjumped Jordan Pickford to nod in.

Van de Ven was equally impressive in defence, partnering well with his defensive colleague as the duo handled superbly with the numerous deliveries thrown their way by Everton.

Everton analysis: Everton lacking striker's instinct

Everton's new home had been a fortress, but it seems the novelty may have faded slightly and fans flocked to the gates after the midfielder's third for Tottenham.

The end in the team's winning streak at home won't be a major worry for the manager, but their striker situation will be.

The forward and the other striker - the Everton's pair of recognised strikers - had netted just one league goal between them before the weekend's match.

And they were failed to add to that miserable tally on a wet and gloomy night on in Liverpool.

Beto's form was epitomized when he opted to bicycle-kick a clear chance from near the goal, even with having room and time to readjust for a more conventional shot that would have tested Vicario.

The substitute, too, was unable to make an impact after coming on for Beto in the second half.

It was not for a shortage of chance. Most of Everton's offensive moves came through Grealish and Ndiaye, who relentlessly delivered dangerous balls into the Tottenham box.

What next for these two sides?

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

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

Samuel Johnson
Samuel Johnson

A seasoned gaming journalist and industry analyst with over a decade of experience covering esports and game development trends.