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

Micky van de Ven celebrating

The Dutch defender became the initial backline player to score twice in a Premier League match for Tottenham since the Belgian defender in spring 2013.

At a glance

  • Micky Van de Ven heads into the net two times in opening period

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

  • Pape Matar Sarr nets third in dying moments

  • The defeat is the Merseyside club's first at their new ground

Micky van de Ven found the net on two occasions as Tottenham prolonged their unbeaten run on the road in the Premier League and handed Everton their first defeat at their new home.

The Toffees were unbeaten in their five previous fixtures at their recently opened stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, having departed their historic home behind after 133 years at the conclusion of last season.

But Spurs captain Van de Ven struck twice from corners in the opening 45 minutes to put their impressive record at jeopardy, and they were failed to mount a comeback before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by ex-Everton forward the Brazilian - nodded in a third to put the game to bed.

The Everton defender thought he had levelled the scores five minutes after Van de Ven's first goal, directing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an Everton corner.

The Portuguese striker, meanwhile, failed to convert a number of chances, while Vicario made a succession of fine saves to guarantee the London club went five away games without defeat in the Premier League.

But the VAR intervened, advising Craig Pawson to check the goal on the screen and the referee decided that Jack Grealish and the attacker were in an illegal position and had interfered with the Spurs keeper.

The win moves Thomas Frank's team into third place in the division, five points off local foes and leaders Arsenal.

The Merseyside club remain in 14th position and are six points ahead of the drop zone.

Tottenham analysis: Van de Ven excels in role at each end of pitch

Following a drab weekday display in the Champions League against the French side, where they mustered a mere two shots on target, the manager chose the French striker in attack instead of former Toffees player Richarlison.

The summer signing was unable to make much of an impact before being replaced for the substitute after 60 minutes on the field, but it turns out he wasn't needed in the end.

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

Tottenham's opening strike came from a well-worked set-piece play, with Rodrigo Bentancur directing the ball toward the face of goal for an unmarked Van de Ven to score.

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

Van de Ven was equally outstanding in defensive duties, partnering effectively with his defensive colleague as the pair handled superbly with the numerous deliveries sent their way by the opposition.

Everton analysis: Everton lacking finishing touch

The club's new home had been a happy hunting ground, but it seems the freshness may have faded somewhat and fans flocked to the exits after the midfielder's third for Tottenham.

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

The forward and the other striker - the Everton's pair of recognised strikers - had scored just one league goal between them before Sunday's outing.

And they were failed to contribute to that poor tally on a damp and dreary evening on in Liverpool.

Beto's performance was summed up when he opted to bicycle-kick a golden opportunity from near the goal, even with having room and opportunity to readjust for a more conventional attempt that would have tested Vicario.

Barry, too, failed to influence the game after replacing Beto in the second half.

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

Upcoming fixtures for these two sides?

Everton: The team head to the Stadium of Light in the top flight on early November at 8 PM.

Spurs: Spurs go to St James' Park on Wednesday, 29 October for their next round Carabao Cup match against Newcastle.

Jonathan Gonzalez
Jonathan Gonzalez

Elara Vance is a seasoned sports analyst with over a decade of experience in betting markets, specializing in football and horse racing predictions.