Van de Ven Double 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 Spurs since Jan Vertonghen in March 2013.

At a glance

  • Micky Van de Ven heads home two times in opening period

  • Everton's defender has goal disallowed after video check

  • Senegalese midfielder scores third in dying moments

  • The defeat is Everton's initial at Hill Dickinson Stadium

Micky van de Ven found the net on two occasions as Spurs extended their winning streak on the road in the Premier League and delivered the Toffees their initial loss at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The Toffees were unbeaten in their last five matches at their recently opened stadium at the dockside location, having left Goodison Park behind after 133 years at the conclusion of the previous campaign.

But Tottenham's leader the Dutchman struck twice from set-pieces in the opening 45 minutes to put their impressive record at risk, and they were failed to mount a comeback before the midfielder - 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 scores a short while after the defender's opener, directing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an Everton corner.

The Portuguese striker, in the meantime, failed to convert a handful of opportunities, while Vicario made a succession of fine saves to ensure Tottenham went five matches on the road without defeat in the English top flight.

But the video assistant referee stepped in, advising the match official to review the score on the pitchside monitor and the official decided that Jack Grealish and the attacker were in an illegal position and had interfered with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

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

The Merseyside club remain 14th and sit six points ahead of the drop zone.

Spurs breakdown: Van de Ven excels in role at each end of the field

Following a uninspiring midweek performance in the European competition against the French side, where they mustered a mere attempts on target, the manager chose Randal Kolo Muani in attack instead of former Toffees player Richarlison.

The summer signing was unable to make much of an impact before being replaced for Richarlison after 60 minutes on the field, but it turns out he wasn't needed in the end.

Defender Van de Ven transformed into an offensive threat to be feared.

Tottenham's first goal came from a well-worked set-piece play, with the midfielder directing the ball back across the six-yard box for an unmarked Van de Ven to head home.

And the captain - filling in as skipper in Cristian Romero's unavailability - notched his second in first-half stoppage time as he rose above Jordan Pickford to head home.

Van de Ven was equally outstanding in defence, partnering effectively with his defensive colleague as the duo handled superbly with the 34 crosses sent their way by the opposition.

Toffees breakdown: Everton missing finishing touch

The club's recent stadium had been a happy hunting ground, but it appears the freshness may have worn off somewhat and supporters headed to the gates after Sarr's final goal for Spurs.

The end in Everton's unbeaten home run won't be a massive concern for the manager, but their striker situation are.

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

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

Beto's performance was epitomized when he opted to overhead kick a clear chance from close range, even with having space and time to readjust for a simpler attempt that would have tested Vicario.

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

It wasn't for a shortage of opportunity. The majority of the home side's offensive moves came through the winger and the forward, who tirelessly delivered dangerous balls into the Tottenham penalty area.

What next for both teams?

Everton: The team head to Sunderland in the Premier League on early November at 20:00 GMT.

Spurs: Spurs travel to St James' Park on Wednesday, 29 October for their fourth-round League Cup tie against the Magpies.

Sara Robinson
Sara Robinson

Marcus is a seasoned sports analyst with over a decade of experience in betting markets.

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