Van de Ven Brace Halts Everton's Run at Brand New Stadium

Micky van de Ven celebrating

The Dutch defender became the first backline player to score two goals in a Premier League game for Tottenham since the Belgian defender in March 2013.

Match summary

  • The Spurs defender heads into the net twice in opening period

  • Everton's defender has equalizer disallowed after VAR review

  • Senegalese midfielder nets final goal in 89th minute

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

The Tottenham defender scored twice as Tottenham prolonged their unbeaten run in away games in the Premier League and delivered the Toffees their first defeat at their new home.

The Toffees were unbeaten in their five previous fixtures at their new ground at Bramley-Moore Dock, having left their historic home behind after more than a century at the conclusion of the previous campaign.

But Tottenham's leader the Dutchman struck twice from corners in the opening 45 minutes to put their impressive record at risk, and they were unable to mount a comeback before the midfielder - set up by ex-Everton forward the Brazilian - nodded in a final goal to put the game to bed.

Jake O'Brien thought he had levelled the scores five minutes after Van de Ven's first goal, directing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an set-piece.

Beto, meanwhile, failed to convert a handful of chances, while Vicario made a series of excellent stops to ensure the London club went five matches on the road unbeaten in the Premier League.

But the video assistant referee intervened, advising the match official to review the goal on the screen and the official decided that the winger and Iliman Ndiaye were in an illegal position and had interfered with the Spurs keeper.

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

Everton stay in 14th position and are six points clear of the relegation zone.

Tottenham analysis: The defender excels in duties at both ends of pitch

After a drab weekday display in the European competition against the French side, where they managed a only two shots on target, the manager chose the French striker up front instead of ex-Everton forward Richarlison.

The new arrival was failed to influence the game before being replaced for Richarlison after 60 minutes on the field, but it emerged he wasn't needed in the final outcome.

Centre-back the Dutchman converted into an attacking force to be reckoned with.

Tottenham's first goal came from a well-worked corner routine, with Rodrigo Bentancur directing the ball toward the six-yard box for an unmarked the defender to head home.

And the captain - filling in as skipper in Cristian Romero's unavailability - notched his second in first-half stoppage time as he outjumped Jordan Pickford to nod in.

Van de Ven was just as outstanding in defence, combining effectively with his defensive colleague as the duo handled superbly with the numerous deliveries thrown their way by the opposition.

Everton analysis: Everton missing striker's instinct

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

The break in the team's winning streak at home won't be a major concern for the manager, but their attacking woes will be.

The forward and the other striker - the Toffees' pair of recognised strikers - had scored only one league goal between them before the weekend's outing.

And they were failed to add to that miserable tally on a wet and gloomy night on Merseyside.

Beto's form was epitomized when he opted to bicycle-kick a golden opportunity from close range, even with having space and opportunity to readjust for a more conventional attempt that would have challenged Vicario.

The substitute, too, was unable to influence the game after coming on for Beto in the 65th minute.

It was not for a shortage of chance. Most of the home side's attacks came through Grealish and the forward, who relentlessly delivered dangerous crosses into the Tottenham box.

Upcoming fixtures for these two sides?

The Toffees: Moyes' men travel to the Stadium of Light in the Premier League on early November at 8 PM.

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

Robert Young
Robert Young

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