Micky van de Ven Brace Halts Everton's Run at New Stadium

Micky van de Ven celebrating

Micky van de Ven emerged as the first defender to score twice in a English top-flight game for Spurs since the Belgian defender in March 2013.

At a glance

  • The Spurs defender heads home two times in first half

  • Everton's Jake O'Brien has goal disallowed after video check

  • Senegalese midfielder nets final goal in dying moments

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

The Tottenham defender scored on two occasions as Tottenham extended their unbeaten run on the road in the Premier League and delivered the Toffees their initial loss at their new home.

The Toffees were undefeated 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 end of last season.

But Tottenham's leader Van de Ven struck twice from set-pieces in the opening 45 minutes to put their strong form at risk, and they were failed to mount a comeback before the midfielder - set up by ex-Everton forward the Brazilian - headed home a final goal to seal the victory.

The Everton defender thought he had equalized the scores five minutes after Van de Ven's first goal, glancing a bullet header past the Spurs keeper from an Everton corner.

Beto, in the meantime, missed a number of opportunities, while Vicario made a series of fine stops to ensure Tottenham went five matches on the road unbeaten in the Premier League.

But the video assistant referee stepped in, advising Craig Pawson to check the goal on the screen and the official decided that Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye were in offside positions and had impeded with the Spurs keeper.

The win elevates the manager's team up to third in the division, a handful of points off local foes and leaders Arsenal.

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

Tottenham analysis: The defender excels in duties at each end of pitch

After a drab weekday performance in the Champions League against Monaco, where they mustered a only attempts on goal, the manager opted for the French striker up front instead of ex-Everton forward the Brazilian.

The summer signing was failed to make much of an impact before being substituted for the substitute after 60 minutes on the field, but it emerged he proved unnecessary in the final outcome.

Centre-back Van de Ven transformed into an attacking force to be feared.

Spurs' opening strike came from a well-worked corner routine, with the midfielder heading the ball toward the face of goal for an unmarked the defender to score.

And Ven de Ven - stepping up as skipper in Cristian Romero's unavailability - notched his second in first-half stoppage time as he outjumped Jordan Pickford to head home.

The Dutchman was equally impressive in defensive duties, partnering well with his defensive colleague as the pair dealt superbly with the numerous deliveries thrown their way by the opposition.

Everton analysis: Toffees lacking striker's instinct

Everton's new home had been a happy hunting ground, but it appears the freshness may have faded somewhat and fans headed 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 Thierno Barry - the Everton's pair of established centre-forwards - had netted only one league goal between them before the weekend's outing.

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

Beto's form was epitomized when he opted to bicycle-kick a golden opportunity from near the goal, despite having space and opportunity to readjust for a more conventional attempt that would have tested Vicario.

The substitute, as well, was unable to make an impact after coming on for the starter in the 65th minute.

It was not for a shortage of opportunity. Most of the home side's attacks came through Grealish and Ndiaye, who relentlessly delivered dangerous balls into the Spurs box.

Upcoming fixtures for these two sides?

Everton: The team head to the Stadium of Light in the top flight on Monday, 3 November at 8 PM.

Tottenham: The London club go to St James' Park on Wednesday, 29 October for their next round League Cup match against the Magpies.

Roy Collins
Roy Collins

A professional organizer and minimalist lifestyle advocate with over a decade of experience helping people create serene, functional homes.