Micky van de Ven Double Ends Everton's Unbeaten Streak at Brand New Home Ground

Micky van de Ven celebrating

The Dutch defender emerged as the initial backline player to score twice in a Premier League game for Tottenham since the Belgian defender in March 2013.

Match summary

  • Micky Van de Ven heads into the net two times in first half

  • The home side's defender has equalizer ruled after video check

  • Senegalese midfielder scores third in dying moments

  • This loss is the Merseyside club's initial at their new ground

The Tottenham defender scored on two occasions as Tottenham prolonged their unbeaten run in away games in the top division and delivered Everton their initial loss at their new home.

Everton were unbeaten in their five previous fixtures at their recently opened stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, having left their historic home behind after more than a century at the conclusion of the previous campaign.

But Tottenham's leader Van de Ven struck twice from set-pieces in the first half to put their strong form at risk, and they were failed to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - set up 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 Van de Ven's opener, glancing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an set-piece.

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

But the video assistant referee stepped in, instructing the match official to review the goal on the pitchside monitor and the referee ruled that the winger and Iliman Ndiaye were in an illegal position and had impeded with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

This victory moves Thomas Frank's team up to third in the division, a handful of points off local foes and table-toppers Arsenal.

The Merseyside club remain 14th and are half a dozen points ahead of the relegation zone.

Tottenham analysis: The defender excels in duties at both ends of pitch

After a drab weekday performance in the European competition against Monaco, where they mustered a mere attempts on target, Frank chose the French striker in attack instead of former Toffees player Richarlison.

The summer signing was unable to make much of an impact before being substituted for Richarlison after 60 minutes on the field, but it turns out he proved unnecessary in the end.

Centre-back the Dutchman transformed into an offensive threat to be reckoned with.

Spurs' opening strike came from a cleverly executed corner routine, with the midfielder heading the ball toward the face of goal for an unmarked the defender to head home.

And Ven de Ven - filling in as skipper in Cristian Romero's unavailability - notched his second in first-half stoppage time as he outjumped the England keeper to nod in.

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

Toffees breakdown: Everton missing striker's instinct

The club's new home had been a fortress, but it appears the novelty may have worn off slightly and supporters flocked to the exits after the midfielder's third for Tottenham.

The end in Everton's winning streak at home will not be a major concern for David Moyes, but their attacking woes are.

Beto and the other striker - the Toffees' pair of established centre-forwards - had scored only one league goal between them before Sunday's outing.

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

The striker's form was epitomized when he opted to overhead kick a clear chance from near the goal, even with having space and opportunity to reposition for a more conventional shot that would have tested the keeper.

Barry, too, was unable to influence the game after replacing the starter in the 65th minute.

It was not for a shortage of chance. Most of Everton's offensive moves came through the winger and Ndiaye, who relentlessly whipped dangerous balls into the Spurs box.

Upcoming fixtures for both teams?

Everton: The team travel to Sunderland in the Premier League on early November at 8 PM.

Tottenham: Spurs go to Newcastle's ground on Wednesday, 29 October for their fourth-round League Cup tie against Newcastle.

Lawrence Armstrong
Lawrence Armstrong

A seasoned educator and mother sharing her experiences of nurturing children in extreme northern environments.