Micky van de Ven Double Halts The Toffees' Run at New Home Ground

Micky van de Ven celebrating

The Dutch defender emerged as the first backline player to score two goals in a Premier League game for Spurs since the Belgian defender in March 2013.

Match summary

  • Micky Van de Ven nods into the net twice in first half

  • The home side's defender has equalizer ruled after VAR review

  • Senegalese midfielder scores final goal in dying moments

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

Micky van de Ven scored on two occasions as Spurs prolonged their unbeaten run in away games in the top division and delivered Everton their initial loss at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The Toffees were unbeaten in their last five matches at their new ground at Bramley-Moore Dock, having left Goodison Park behind after more than a century at the conclusion of last season.

But Spurs captain Van de Ven pounced twice from set-pieces in the opening 45 minutes to put their impressive record at jeopardy, and they were failed to mount a comeback before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by former Toffees attacker Richarlison - headed home a third to seal the victory.

Jake O'Brien believed he had equalized the tally a short while after the defender's first goal, directing a bullet header past the Spurs keeper from an Everton corner.

The Portuguese striker, in the meantime, missed a handful of chances, while Vicario made a succession of excellent saves to guarantee the London club went five matches on the road unbeaten in the English top flight.

But the video assistant referee stepped in, instructing the match official to review the score on the pitchside monitor and the referee decided that Jack Grealish and the attacker were in offside positions and had impeded with the Spurs keeper.

The win elevates the manager's team into third place in the division, five points off local foes and table-toppers Arsenal.

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

Spurs breakdown: The defender excels in duties at both ends of the field

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 Richarlison.

The summer signing was unable to influence the game before being substituted for Richarlison after 60 minutes on the field, but it emerged he wasn't needed in the final outcome.

Centre-back Van de Ven transformed into an offensive threat to be reckoned with.

Tottenham's opening strike came from a cleverly executed set-piece play, with Rodrigo Bentancur heading the ball back across the six-yard box for an free the defender to head home.

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

Van de Ven was equally impressive in defensive duties, combining well with Kevin Danso as the duo dealt superbly with the numerous deliveries sent their way by the opposition.

Everton analysis: Toffees missing striker's instinct

The club's recent stadium had been a fortress, but it appears the novelty may have worn off somewhat and fans flocked to the exits after the midfielder's third for Spurs.

The break in the team's unbeaten home run won't be a massive concern for the manager, but their attacking woes will be.

The forward and Thierno Barry - the Toffees' two recognised centre-forwards - had netted only a single goal combined before the weekend's match.

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

The striker's form was summed up when he opted to overhead kick a golden opportunity from near the goal, even with having room and time to reposition for a more conventional shot that would have challenged the keeper.

Barry, too, was unable to make an impact after coming on for the starter in the 65th minute.

It was not for a shortage of chance. The majority of the home side's offensive moves came through the winger and the forward, who tirelessly delivered threatening balls into the Tottenham penalty area.

What next for both teams?

Everton: Moyes' men head to the Stadium of Light in the top flight on Monday, 3 November at 8 PM.

Spurs: Spurs go to Newcastle's ground on late October for their next round Carabao Cup tie against the Magpies.

Zachary Bentley
Zachary Bentley

A digital strategist with over a decade of experience in UK media, specializing in SEO and content marketing for tech startups.