Van de Ven Double Halts The Toffees' Run at Brand New Stadium

Micky van de Ven celebrating

Micky van de Ven became the first defender to score two goals in a English top-flight match for Spurs since Jan Vertonghen in March 2013.

At a glance

  • Micky Van de Ven heads home two times in opening period

  • The home side's defender has goal disallowed after VAR review

  • Senegalese midfielder nets final goal in dying moments

  • This loss is the Merseyside club's initial at Hill Dickinson Stadium

The Tottenham defender found the net twice as Spurs extended their unbeaten run on the road in the top division and handed the Toffees their first defeat at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton were undefeated in their last five matches at their recently opened stadium at the dockside location, having departed Goodison Park behind after more than a century at the conclusion of the previous campaign.

But Tottenham's leader Van de Ven pounced twice from set-pieces in the first half to put their impressive record at risk, and they were failed to turn it around before the midfielder - assisted by former Toffees attacker the Brazilian - nodded in a final goal to put the game to bed.

Jake O'Brien thought he had equalized the scores a short while after the defender's first goal, glancing a powerful header past the Spurs keeper from an set-piece.

The Portuguese striker, in the meantime, failed to convert a number of chances, while Vicario made a series of fine stops to ensure Tottenham went five away games unbeaten in the Premier League.

But the VAR stepped in, advising the match official to review the score on the screen and the official ruled that the winger and Iliman Ndiaye were in offside positions and had impeded with the Spurs keeper.

This victory moves the manager's team into third place in the Premier League, a handful of points off local foes and table-toppers the Gunners.

Everton remain in 14th position and are half a dozen points ahead of the drop zone.

Tottenham analysis: Van de Ven fulfils duties at both ends of pitch

Following a drab weekday performance in the Champions League against Monaco, where they mustered a mere two shots on goal, the manager chose the French striker in attack instead of ex-Everton forward Richarlison.

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

Defender Van de Ven converted into an offensive threat to be reckoned with.

Spurs' opening strike came from a well-worked set-piece play, with Rodrigo Bentancur directing the ball back across the six-yard box for an unmarked the defender to score.

And Ven de Ven - filling in as skipper in the Argentine's unavailability - notched his next goal in first-half stoppage time as he outjumped the England keeper to head home.

The Dutchman was equally outstanding in defensive duties, combining effectively with his defensive colleague as the duo handled superbly 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 seems the novelty may have worn off somewhat and supporters headed to the exits after the midfielder's final goal for Tottenham.

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

Beto and the other striker - the Toffees' two recognised centre-forwards - had scored just one league goal between them before Sunday's match.

And they were failed to contribute to that poor record on a wet and gloomy evening on Merseyside.

Beto's performance was summed up when he opted to bicycle-kick a golden opportunity from close range, despite having room and time to readjust for a more conventional shot that would have challenged the keeper.

Barry, too, was unable to influence the game after replacing the starter in the second half.

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

What next for these two sides?

The Toffees: The team travel to the Stadium of Light in the top flight on Monday, 3 November at 20:00 GMT.

Spurs: Spurs go to St James' Park on late October for their fourth-round Carabao Cup match against the Magpies.

Lisa Douglas
Lisa Douglas

A gaming enthusiast and industry analyst with a passion for exploring how technology shapes interactive entertainment.

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