Van de Ven Double Halts Everton's Unbeaten Streak at New Home Ground

Micky van de Ven celebrating

The Dutch defender emerged as the initial defender to score two goals in a English top-flight game for Tottenham since Jan Vertonghen in March 2013.

At a glance

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

  • The home side's defender has goal disallowed after video check

  • Pape Matar Sarr nets final goal in 89th minute

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

Micky van de Ven scored twice as Spurs prolonged their winning streak on the road in the Premier League and handed the Toffees their first defeat 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 133 years at the end of last season.

But Tottenham's leader the Dutchman pounced twice from set-pieces in the opening 45 minutes to put their impressive record at risk, and they were failed to turn it around before the midfielder - assisted by ex-Everton forward Richarlison - nodded in a final goal to put the game to bed.

Jake O'Brien thought he had levelled the tally five minutes after Van de Ven's first goal, glancing a powerful header past Guglielmo Vicario from an Everton corner.

Beto, in the meantime, missed a number of chances, while the Italian goalkeeper made a series of excellent stops to guarantee the London club went five matches on the road unbeaten in the English top flight.

But the VAR stepped in, advising the match official to check the score on the screen and the official ruled that Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye were in an illegal position and had interfered with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

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

The Merseyside club remain 14th and sit six points ahead of the relegation zone.

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

After a uninspiring weekday performance in the European competition against the French side, where they managed a mere attempts on goal, the manager chose the French striker in attack instead of former Toffees player Richarlison.

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

Defender Van de Ven transformed into an attacking force to be feared.

Tottenham's first goal came from a well-worked corner routine, with Rodrigo Bentancur directing the ball toward the face of goal for an unmarked Van de Ven to head home.

And Ven de Ven - stepping up as captain in the Argentine's unavailability - added his second in first-half stoppage time as he outjumped the England keeper to nod in.

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

Toffees breakdown: Everton lacking striker's instinct

Everton's new home had been a happy hunting ground, but it appears the freshness may have faded slightly and supporters headed to the exits after Sarr's final goal for Tottenham.

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

Beto and the other striker - the Toffees' two recognised strikers - had netted only one league goal combined before the weekend's match.

And they were unable to add to that miserable record on a damp and dreary evening on in Liverpool.

Beto's form was summed up when he chose to bicycle-kick a clear chance from close range, despite having space and opportunity to readjust for a simpler shot that would have tested Vicario.

The substitute, as well, failed to make an impact after replacing the starter in the 65th minute.

It was not for a shortage of opportunity. Most of Everton's attacks came through Grealish and the forward, who tirelessly delivered dangerous balls into the Tottenham penalty area.

Upcoming fixtures for these two sides?

Everton: The team travel to Sunderland in the Premier League on Monday, 3 November at 8 PM.

Tottenham: The London club travel to St James' Park on late October for their fourth-round Carabao Cup match against the Magpies.

Denise Richardson
Denise Richardson

Maya Chen is a tech journalist and futurist with over a decade of experience covering AI, blockchain, and digital transformation.