Van de Ven Brace Ends Everton's Unbeaten Streak at Brand New Stadium

Micky van de Ven celebrating

The Dutch defender became the first backline player to score twice in a English top-flight match for Spurs since the Belgian defender in spring 2013.

Match summary

  • The Spurs defender nods into the net twice in opening period

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

  • Senegalese midfielder scores third in 89th minute

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

Micky van de Ven scored twice as Tottenham extended their unbeaten run in away games in the Premier League and handed Everton their initial loss at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The Toffees were unbeaten in their last five matches at their recently opened stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, having departed Goodison Park behind after 133 years at the end of the previous campaign.

But Tottenham's leader Van de Ven pounced on two occasions from set-pieces in the opening 45 minutes to place their strong form at risk, and they were unable to mount a comeback before the midfielder - assisted by former Toffees attacker Richarlison - nodded in a third to seal the victory.

Jake O'Brien thought he had levelled the scores a short while after Van de Ven's first goal, glancing 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 succession of excellent saves to guarantee Tottenham went five away games without defeat in the Premier League.

But the VAR stepped in, instructing Craig Pawson to check the score on the pitchside monitor and the referee decided that the winger and Iliman Ndiaye were in an illegal position and had impeded with the Spurs keeper.

This victory elevates Thomas Frank's side into third place in the division, five points off local foes and table-toppers Arsenal.

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

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

After a drab midweek performance in the Champions League against the French side, where they mustered a only attempts on target, Frank opted for the French striker in attack instead of ex-Everton forward Richarlison.

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

Defender the Dutchman converted into an offensive threat to be reckoned with.

Spurs' first goal came from a cleverly executed corner routine, with the midfielder heading the ball back across the six-yard box for an unmarked the defender to head home.

And the captain - filling in as skipper in the Argentine's unavailability - notched his second in added time as he rose above the England keeper to head home.

The Dutchman was equally outstanding in defensive duties, combining effectively with his defensive colleague as the pair handled superbly with the 34 crosses thrown their way by Everton.

Toffees breakdown: Toffees missing striker's instinct

Everton's new home 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 Tottenham.

The break in the team's winning streak at home will not be a massive worry for David Moyes, but their striker situation will be.

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

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

The striker's form was summed up when he opted to overhead kick a golden opportunity from close range, even with having room and time to readjust for a simpler attempt that would have tested Vicario.

The substitute, as well, failed to influence the game after replacing Beto in the 65th minute.

It wasn't for a lack of chance. Most of Everton's offensive moves came through the winger and the forward, who tirelessly delivered threatening crosses into the Tottenham box.

Upcoming fixtures 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 travel to Newcastle's ground on late October for their fourth-round League Cup match against the Magpies.

Breanna Fox
Breanna Fox

Emma Fielding is the lead content writer at WestDesk, specializing in UX and digital product strategy.