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

Micky van de Ven celebrating

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

Match summary

  • The Spurs defender nods home two times in first half

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

  • Senegalese midfielder nets third in 89th minute

  • The defeat is Everton's first at Hill Dickinson Stadium

Micky van de Ven found the net on two occasions as Spurs prolonged their unbeaten run on the road in the top division and handed Everton their first defeat at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton were undefeated in their five previous fixtures at their new ground at Bramley-Moore Dock, having departed Goodison Park behind after 133 years at the end of the previous campaign.

But Tottenham's leader Van de Ven pounced twice from corners in the first half to put their strong form at jeopardy, and they were unable to mount a comeback before Pape Matar Sarr - assisted by ex-Everton forward the Brazilian - nodded in a third to put the game to bed.

Jake O'Brien thought he had levelled the scores five minutes after the defender's opener, glancing a powerful header past the Spurs keeper from an Everton corner.

Beto, in the meantime, failed to convert a handful of opportunities, while the Italian goalkeeper made a series of fine saves to guarantee the London club went five matches on the road without defeat in the Premier League.

But the VAR stepped in, instructing the match official to review the goal on the screen and the referee decided that Jack Grealish and the attacker were in an illegal position and had impeded with the Spurs keeper.

This victory elevates the manager's side up to third in the division, five points off local foes and table-toppers the Gunners.

Everton stay 14th and sit six points ahead of the drop zone.

Spurs breakdown: The defender excels in role at both ends of the field

Following a drab midweek performance in the European competition against the French side, where they managed a mere attempts on goal, the manager opted for Randal Kolo Muani up front instead of former Toffees player the Brazilian.

The new arrival was unable to make much of an impact before being replaced for Richarlison after an hour on the pitch, but it turns out he wasn't needed in the final outcome.

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

Spurs' opening strike came from a cleverly executed corner routine, with the midfielder directing the ball back across the face of goal for an unmarked the defender to score.

And the captain - filling in as captain in Cristian Romero's absence - added his next goal in added time as he outjumped the England keeper to head home.

The Dutchman was equally impressive in defensive duties, partnering well with Kevin Danso as the duo handled excellently with the numerous deliveries sent their way by Everton.

Toffees breakdown: Everton lacking finishing touch

Everton's new home had been a fortress, but it appears the novelty may have faded slightly and fans headed to the gates after the midfielder's third for Tottenham.

The end in Everton's unbeaten home run will not be a major worry for David Moyes, but their striker situation are.

The forward and the other striker - the Toffees' pair of established strikers - had netted just one league goal combined before Sunday's outing.

And they were unable to contribute to that poor tally on a wet and gloomy night on Merseyside.

The striker's form was summed up when he opted to overhead kick a golden opportunity from near the goal, even with having space and time to readjust for a more conventional shot that would have challenged Vicario.

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

It wasn't for a lack of opportunity. Most of the home side's attacks came through Grealish and the forward, who relentlessly delivered dangerous balls into the Spurs penalty area.

What next for both teams?

The Toffees: Moyes' men head to the Stadium of Light in the top flight on Monday, 3 November at 8 PM.

Tottenham: Spurs travel to St James' Park on Wednesday, 29 October for their next round League Cup match against the Magpies.

Aaron West
Aaron West

A seasoned digital strategist with over a decade of experience in driving online growth for businesses of all sizes.