Van de Ven Brace Ends Everton's Run at Brand New Home Ground

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 March 2013.

At a glance

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

  • Everton's Jake O'Brien has equalizer disallowed after VAR review

  • Senegalese midfielder scores third in dying moments

  • This loss is Everton's initial at their new ground

The Tottenham defender found the net twice as Tottenham extended their winning streak in away games in the Premier League and handed the Toffees their initial loss at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton were undefeated in their five previous fixtures at their new ground at the dockside location, having departed their historic home behind after 133 years at the end of last season.

But Tottenham's leader Van de Ven struck on two occasions from set-pieces in the opening 45 minutes to place their strong form at risk, and they were failed to mount a comeback before Pape Matar Sarr - assisted by former Toffees attacker the Brazilian - headed home a third to put the game to bed.

The Everton defender believed he had levelled the scores a short while after the defender's first goal, directing a powerful header past Guglielmo Vicario from an Everton corner.

Beto, meanwhile, failed to convert a handful of opportunities, while Vicario made a series of excellent saves to guarantee Tottenham went five away games without defeat in the English top flight.

But the VAR intervened, instructing the match official to review the goal on the pitchside monitor and the referee ruled that Jack Grealish and the attacker were in an illegal position and had impeded with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

This victory moves Thomas Frank's team into third place in the Premier League, five points off local foes and table-toppers Arsenal.

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

Tottenham analysis: Van de Ven excels in role at each end of the field

Following a drab weekday performance in the Champions League against Monaco, where they managed a only two shots on goal, Frank chose the French striker in attack instead of ex-Everton forward Richarlison.

The summer signing was failed to make much of an impact before being substituted for the substitute after 60 minutes on the pitch, but it emerged he wasn't needed in the final outcome.

Defender the Dutchman transformed into an attacking force to be feared.

Spurs' first goal came from a well-worked set-piece play, with Rodrigo Bentancur directing the ball back across the six-yard box for an free Van de Ven to head home.

And Ven de Ven - filling in as captain in the Argentine's unavailability - notched his next goal in first-half stoppage time as he outjumped Jordan Pickford to head home.

Van de Ven was just as outstanding in defensive duties, combining well with Kevin Danso as the duo dealt excellently with the numerous deliveries sent their way by the opposition.

Everton analysis: Toffees missing finishing touch

Everton's new home had been a fortress, but it seems the freshness may have worn off somewhat and fans flocked to the gates after the midfielder's third for Spurs.

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

Beto and the other striker - the Everton's two recognised centre-forwards - had scored only a single goal combined before Sunday's match.

And they were unable to add to that poor record on a wet and gloomy night on Merseyside.

The striker's form was epitomized when he opted to overhead kick a golden opportunity from near the goal, even with having space and time to reposition for a simpler attempt that would have tested the keeper.

Barry, too, was unable to make an impact after replacing Beto in the second half.

It wasn't for a lack of opportunity. Most of the home side's offensive moves came through Grealish and Ndiaye, who tirelessly delivered dangerous crosses into the Tottenham penalty area.

What next for these two sides?

Everton: Moyes' men travel to the Stadium of Light in the top flight on early November at 20:00 GMT.

Tottenham: Spurs go to Newcastle's ground on late October for their next round League Cup tie against Newcastle.

Kara Robertson
Kara Robertson

A tech journalist and network specialist with over a decade of experience covering digital transformations and cybersecurity advancements.