Van de Ven Double Ends Everton's Run at Brand New Stadium

Micky van de Ven celebrating

Micky van de Ven emerged as the first backline player to net twice in a Premier League game for Spurs since Jan Vertonghen in spring 2013.

At a glance

  • The Spurs defender heads home twice in first half

  • The home side's defender has goal disallowed after VAR review

  • Pape Matar Sarr nets third in dying moments

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

The Tottenham defender found the net twice as Tottenham prolonged their winning streak in away games in the Premier League and delivered Everton their first defeat at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The Toffees were unbeaten in their five previous fixtures at their recently opened stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, having departed their historic home behind after more than a century at the end of last season.

But Spurs captain Van de Ven pounced on two occasions from set-pieces in the first half to place their strong form at risk, and they were failed to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - assisted by ex-Everton forward the Brazilian - 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 first goal, glancing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an Everton corner.

The Portuguese striker, in the meantime, failed to convert a handful of opportunities, while the Italian goalkeeper made a succession of fine stops to guarantee Tottenham went five away games unbeaten in the Premier League.

But the VAR intervened, advising the match official to review the score on the screen and the referee ruled that the winger and Iliman Ndiaye were in an illegal position and had impeded with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

The win moves Thomas Frank's side up to third in the Premier League, a handful of points off local foes and leaders Arsenal.

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

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

After a uninspiring weekday performance in the Champions League against the French side, where they mustered a only attempts on goal, the manager chose the French striker in attack instead of former Toffees player Richarlison.

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

Defender the Dutchman transformed 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 toward the six-yard box for an unmarked the defender to score.

And the captain - stepping up as captain in the Argentine's absence - notched his next goal in added time as he rose above Jordan Pickford to nod in.

The Dutchman was just as impressive in defence, partnering well with his defensive colleague as the pair handled excellently with the numerous deliveries thrown their way by Everton.

Everton analysis: Everton lacking striker's instinct

The club's recent stadium had been a fortress, but it appears the novelty may have faded somewhat and fans headed to the gates after Sarr's third for Tottenham.

The break in the team's winning streak at home won't be a massive concern for the manager, but their striker situation will be.

The forward and the other striker - the Everton's two established centre-forwards - had scored just a single goal combined before Sunday's match.

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

The striker's performance was summed up when he chose to overhead kick a golden opportunity from near the goal, despite having space and opportunity to reposition for a simpler attempt that would have tested Vicario.

The substitute, too, failed to make an impact after coming on for the starter in the 65th minute.

It was not for a shortage of opportunity. The majority of Everton's attacks came through the winger and Ndiaye, who relentlessly delivered dangerous balls into the Spurs box.

Upcoming fixtures for both teams?

Everton: The team travel to Sunderland in the top flight on early November at 20:00 GMT.

Tottenham: The London club travel to St James' Park on Wednesday, 29 October for their fourth-round League Cup tie against Newcastle.

Crystal Hartman
Crystal Hartman

A software engineer and tech writer passionate about AI ethics and open-source projects, with over a decade of industry experience.