Micky van de Ven Double Ends The Toffees' Unbeaten Streak at New Home Ground

Micky van de Ven celebrating

The Dutch defender became the first defender to net twice in a Premier League game for Spurs since the Belgian defender in March 2013.

Match summary

  • Micky Van de Ven nods home two times in first half

  • The home side's defender has goal disallowed after video check

  • Senegalese midfielder nets third in dying moments

  • This loss is Everton's first at Hill Dickinson Stadium

Micky van de Ven scored twice as Spurs prolonged their unbeaten run in away games in the top division and delivered Everton their initial loss at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The Toffees were undefeated in their five previous fixtures at their new ground at Bramley-Moore Dock, having left Goodison Park behind after 133 years at the conclusion of the previous campaign.

But Tottenham's leader the Dutchman struck on two occasions from set-pieces in the first half to put their impressive record at jeopardy, and they were failed to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - assisted by ex-Everton forward Richarlison - nodded in a final goal to put the game to bed.

Jake O'Brien believed he had levelled the scores a short while after Van de Ven's opener, directing a powerful header past the Spurs keeper from an Everton corner.

Beto, in the meantime, missed a number of opportunities, while Vicario made a succession of excellent stops to guarantee Tottenham went five away games without defeat in the English top flight.

But the VAR intervened, advising Craig Pawson to review the goal on the screen and the referee ruled that Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye were in offside positions and had interfered with the Spurs keeper.

This victory elevates the manager's team up to third in the Premier League, a handful of points off local foes and leaders Arsenal.

The Merseyside club stay in 14th position and are half a dozen points ahead of the drop zone.

Tottenham analysis: The defender fulfils role at each end of pitch

Following a drab midweek display in the European competition against Monaco, where they mustered a mere attempts on target, Frank chose the French striker up front instead of former Toffees player Richarlison.

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

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

Spurs' first goal came from a cleverly executed corner routine, with the midfielder directing the ball toward the six-yard box for an free the defender to score.

And the captain - filling in as skipper in the Argentine's absence - notched his next goal in first-half stoppage time as he rose above Jordan Pickford to head home.

The Dutchman was equally impressive in defensive duties, combining effectively with his defensive colleague as the duo handled excellently with the 34 crosses sent their way by the opposition.

Toffees breakdown: Toffees lacking striker's instinct

The club's new home had been a happy hunting ground, but it seems the freshness may have faded somewhat and fans flocked to the exits after Sarr's final goal for Tottenham.

The break in Everton's winning streak at home won't be a massive concern for the manager, but their attacking woes are.

The forward and Thierno Barry - the Everton's pair of established strikers - had netted only one league goal between them before Sunday's outing.

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

The striker's form was epitomized when he chose to overhead kick a clear chance from close range, despite having room and time to readjust for a more conventional attempt that would have tested Vicario.

Barry, as well, was unable to make an impact after replacing Beto in the 65th minute.

It wasn't for a lack of chance. The majority of Everton's offensive moves came through Grealish and Ndiaye, who relentlessly delivered dangerous balls into the Tottenham penalty area.

Upcoming fixtures for both teams?

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

Spurs: The London club go to Newcastle's ground on late October for their fourth-round Carabao Cup match against the Magpies.

Mark Jones
Mark Jones

A tech journalist and digital strategist with over a decade of experience covering emerging technologies and their impact on society.