Micky van de Ven Double Halts Everton's Run at Brand New Home Ground

Micky van de Ven celebrating

Micky van de Ven became the initial backline player to score twice in a Premier League game for Tottenham since the Belgian defender in spring 2013.

Match summary

  • The Spurs defender heads home twice in first half

  • The home side's Jake O'Brien has equalizer ruled after VAR review

  • Pape Matar Sarr scores third in 89th minute

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

Micky van de Ven found the net twice as Tottenham prolonged their winning streak in away games in the top division and handed the Toffees their first defeat at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The Toffees were unbeaten in their five previous fixtures at their new ground at the dockside location, having departed their historic home behind after more than a century at the conclusion of last season.

But Spurs captain Van de Ven struck twice from corners in the first half to put their impressive record at risk, and they were failed to mount a comeback before the midfielder - assisted by ex-Everton forward the Brazilian - nodded in a final goal to seal the victory.

The Everton defender thought he had equalized the scores a short while after Van de Ven's opener, glancing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an set-piece.

The Portuguese striker, meanwhile, failed to convert a handful of chances, while the Italian goalkeeper made a succession of excellent stops to ensure Tottenham went five away games without defeat in the English top flight.

But the video assistant referee intervened, instructing Craig Pawson to check the goal on the screen and the referee decided that the winger and Iliman Ndiaye were in offside positions and had impeded with the Spurs keeper.

The win elevates Thomas Frank's side up to third in the division, five points off north London rivals and leaders Arsenal.

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

Spurs breakdown: Van de Ven fulfils role at each end of pitch

After a drab midweek display in the Champions League against Monaco, where they managed a only attempts on target, the manager chose Randal Kolo Muani in attack instead of ex-Everton forward Richarlison.

The summer signing was unable to influence the game before being substituted for the substitute after 60 minutes on the pitch, but it emerged he proved unnecessary in the final outcome.

Defender Van de Ven converted into an attacking force to be reckoned with.

Tottenham's first goal came from a cleverly executed set-piece play, with Rodrigo Bentancur directing the ball toward the six-yard box for an free the defender to head home.

And the captain - filling in as skipper in Cristian Romero's unavailability - added his next goal in first-half stoppage time as he rose above the England keeper to nod in.

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

Toffees breakdown: Toffees lacking striker's instinct

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

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

Beto and Thierno Barry - the Everton's two established centre-forwards - had netted only a single goal combined before the weekend's match.

And they were unable to add to that poor tally on a damp and dreary night on Merseyside.

The striker's form was epitomized when he opted to bicycle-kick a clear chance from near the goal, despite having space and opportunity to reposition for a more conventional shot that would have challenged Vicario.

Barry, as well, failed to make an impact after coming on for Beto in the second half.

It wasn't for a shortage of chance. The majority of the home side's attacks came through Grealish and Ndiaye, who tirelessly whipped dangerous crosses into the Spurs penalty area.

Upcoming fixtures for both teams?

The Toffees: Moyes' men head to Sunderland in the Premier League on early November at 20:00 GMT.

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

Lisa Ballard
Lisa Ballard

Liam is a seasoned career coach and writer with over a decade of experience helping professionals achieve their goals.