Van de Ven Brace Ends Everton's Unbeaten Streak at New Stadium

Micky van de Ven celebrating

The Dutch defender emerged as the first backline player to net twice in a English top-flight game for Spurs since the Belgian defender in spring 2013.

At a glance

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

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

  • Senegalese midfielder scores third in dying moments

  • The defeat is the Merseyside club's initial at Hill Dickinson Stadium

Micky van de Ven found the net twice as Spurs prolonged their winning streak on the road in the top division and handed the Toffees their first defeat at their new home.

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

But Spurs captain the Dutchman struck twice from set-pieces in the first half to put their strong form at jeopardy, and they were failed to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by former Toffees attacker the Brazilian - headed home a final goal to seal the victory.

The Everton defender believed he had levelled the tally five minutes after Van de Ven's first goal, glancing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an Everton corner.

Beto, meanwhile, missed a handful of opportunities, while the Italian goalkeeper made a series of excellent stops to ensure the London club went five away games unbeaten in the Premier League.

But the video assistant referee intervened, advising the match official to review 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.

The win elevates the manager's side up to third in the division, a handful of points off north London rivals and table-toppers the Gunners.

Everton remain in 14th position and are half a dozen points ahead of the drop zone.

Spurs breakdown: Van de Ven excels in duties at both ends of pitch

After a drab weekday performance in the Champions League against the French side, where they mustered a mere two shots on goal, the manager opted for the French striker up front instead of former Toffees player the Brazilian.

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

Defender the Dutchman converted into an attacking force to be reckoned with.

Spurs' opening strike came from a cleverly executed set-piece play, with the midfielder heading the ball back across the face of goal for an free the defender to head home.

And Ven de Ven - stepping up as skipper in the Argentine's unavailability - notched his second in added time as he outjumped Jordan Pickford to nod in.

Van de Ven was equally outstanding in defence, partnering effectively with Kevin Danso as the pair handled excellently with the 34 crosses sent their way by Everton.

Everton analysis: Everton lacking striker's instinct

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

The break in the team's unbeaten home run won't be a major worry for David Moyes, but their striker situation will be.

The forward and the other striker - the Toffees' pair of established centre-forwards - had scored only a single goal between them before Sunday's outing.

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

Beto's form was epitomized when he opted to bicycle-kick a clear chance from near the goal, despite having room and time to readjust for a simpler attempt that would have challenged the keeper.

The substitute, too, was unable to make an impact after coming on for Beto in the second half.

It was not for a lack of opportunity. Most of Everton's attacks came through Grealish and the forward, who relentlessly delivered dangerous balls into the Spurs penalty area.

What next for these two sides?

Everton: Moyes' men head to the Stadium of Light in the top flight on early November at 8 PM.

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

Stephanie Figueroa
Stephanie Figueroa

A seasoned gaming analyst with over a decade of experience in online casinos, specializing in slot game strategies and player psychology.