Micky van de Ven Brace Ends Everton's Run at New Stadium

Micky van de Ven celebrating

The Dutch defender emerged as the first defender to score two goals in a English top-flight game for Spurs since Jan Vertonghen in spring 2013.

At a glance

  • The Spurs defender heads home two times in first half

  • The home side's Jake O'Brien has goal disallowed after video check

  • Senegalese midfielder nets third in dying moments

  • This loss is the Merseyside club's first at their new ground

The Tottenham defender found the net twice as Spurs extended their unbeaten run in away games in the Premier League and handed Everton their initial loss at their new home.

Everton were unbeaten in their last five matches at their recently opened stadium at the dockside location, having departed their historic home behind after 133 years at the conclusion of the previous campaign.

But Spurs captain Van de Ven struck twice from corners in the opening 45 minutes to place their strong form at jeopardy, and they were failed to mount a comeback before the midfielder - assisted by former Toffees attacker the Brazilian - headed home a third to put the game to bed.

The Everton defender believed he had levelled the scores five minutes after the defender's opener, directing a bullet header past the Spurs keeper from an set-piece.

Beto, meanwhile, missed a number of opportunities, while Vicario made a succession of excellent stops to guarantee the London club went five away games without defeat in the Premier League.

But the VAR stepped in, instructing Craig Pawson to check the score on the pitchside monitor and the official decided that Jack Grealish and the attacker were in offside positions and had interfered with the Spurs keeper.

The win moves Thomas Frank's team up to third in the Premier League, five points off north London rivals and table-toppers the Gunners.

The Merseyside club remain 14th and sit half a dozen points clear of the drop zone.

Spurs breakdown: The defender excels in role at each end of pitch

After a drab midweek display in the European competition against the French side, where they managed a only attempts on target, Frank chose Randal Kolo Muani up front instead of ex-Everton forward the Brazilian.

The new arrival was failed to make much of an impact before being replaced for the substitute after an hour on the pitch, but it emerged he wasn't needed in the end.

Defender the Dutchman transformed into an attacking force to be feared.

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 head home.

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

Van de Ven was just as outstanding in defensive duties, partnering well with Kevin Danso as the duo handled excellently with the numerous deliveries thrown their way by Everton.

Toffees breakdown: Toffees missing striker's instinct

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

The break in the team's unbeaten home run won't be a massive concern for David Moyes, but their attacking woes will be.

Beto and the other striker - the Toffees' pair of established strikers - had scored just a single goal between them before the weekend's match.

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

The striker's form was summed up when he chose to overhead kick a clear chance from close range, even with having room and opportunity to reposition for a more conventional attempt that would have challenged the keeper.

The substitute, as well, was unable to make an impact after coming on for the starter in the 65th minute.

It was not for a shortage of opportunity. The majority of Everton's attacks came through the winger and the forward, who relentlessly delivered dangerous crosses into the Spurs box.

Upcoming fixtures for these two sides?

Everton: Moyes' men travel to Sunderland in the Premier League on Monday, 3 November at 8 PM.

Tottenham: Spurs travel to St James' Park on late October for their next round Carabao Cup tie against Newcastle.

Lydia Andrade
Lydia Andrade

Lena Visser is a digital marketing strategist with 10 years of experience in content optimization and brand development.