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

Micky van de Ven celebrating

Micky van de Ven became the initial defender to net two goals in a Premier League game for Tottenham since Jan Vertonghen in spring 2013.

Key points

  • Micky Van de Ven heads home twice in first half

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

  • Pape Matar Sarr nets third in dying moments

  • The defeat is Everton's first at their new ground

The Tottenham defender scored twice as Tottenham prolonged their winning streak on the road in the top division and delivered Everton their initial loss at their new home.

Everton were undefeated in their five previous fixtures at their new ground at the dockside location, having departed Goodison Park behind after 133 years at the end of last season.

But Tottenham's leader Van de Ven struck on two occasions from set-pieces in the first half to place their strong form at jeopardy, and they were unable to mount a comeback before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by ex-Everton forward Richarlison - nodded in a final goal to put the game to bed.

The Everton defender thought he had equalized the tally a short while after Van de Ven's first goal, glancing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an Everton corner.

The Portuguese striker, in the meantime, missed a handful of opportunities, while Vicario made a series of excellent stops to ensure Tottenham went five away games without defeat in the English top flight.

But the video assistant referee stepped in, advising Craig Pawson to check the goal on the screen and the referee decided that Jack Grealish and the attacker were in offside positions and had impeded with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

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

Everton stay in 14th position and are six points ahead of the drop zone.

Tottenham analysis: Van de Ven excels in role at both ends of pitch

After a uninspiring midweek performance in the Champions League against the French side, where they managed a only attempts on target, Frank opted for the French striker in attack instead of former Toffees player the Brazilian.

The summer signing was failed to make much of an impact before being replaced for the substitute after an hour on the field, but it emerged he wasn't needed in the end.

Defender Van de Ven converted into an offensive threat to be reckoned with.

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

And Ven de Ven - filling in as captain in the Argentine's unavailability - notched his next goal in added time as he rose above Jordan Pickford to head home.

The Dutchman was just as outstanding in defence, combining effectively with Kevin Danso as the duo dealt superbly with the numerous deliveries thrown their way by the opposition.

Everton analysis: Everton lacking finishing touch

The club's recent stadium had been a happy hunting ground, but it seems the freshness may have faded slightly and fans headed to the gates after Sarr's third for Spurs.

The end in the team's unbeaten home run will not be a major worry for David Moyes, but their attacking woes will be.

Beto and Thierno Barry - the Everton's pair of established centre-forwards - had scored only a single goal combined before Sunday's outing.

And they were failed to contribute to that poor record on a damp and dreary evening on Merseyside.

Beto's performance was summed up when he opted to overhead kick a clear chance from near the goal, despite having room and time to readjust for a simpler shot that would have challenged the keeper.

Barry, too, failed to make an impact after replacing the starter in the 65th minute.

It wasn't for a shortage of chance. The majority of Everton's attacks came through Grealish and the forward, who tirelessly delivered dangerous balls into the Tottenham penalty area.

What next for these two sides?

The Toffees: The team travel to Sunderland in the top flight on early November at 8 PM.

Tottenham: Spurs travel to Newcastle's ground on Wednesday, 29 October for their fourth-round Carabao Cup match against Newcastle.

Kevin Robles
Kevin Robles

A cultural historian and writer specializing in British traditions and contemporary society, with a passion for storytelling.