Van de Ven Brace Ends Everton's Run at New Home Ground

Micky van de Ven celebrating

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

Match summary

  • The Spurs defender heads home twice in first half

  • Everton's Jake O'Brien has equalizer ruled after VAR review

  • Pape Matar Sarr scores third in dying moments

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

The Tottenham defender found the net on two occasions as Tottenham prolonged their unbeaten run in away games in the top division and handed the Toffees their initial loss at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The Toffees were unbeaten in their last five matches at their new ground at the dockside location, having departed their historic home behind after 133 years at the end of the previous campaign.

But Tottenham's leader the Dutchman struck on two occasions from set-pieces in the first half to place their strong form at risk, and they were unable to mount a comeback before Pape Matar Sarr - assisted by former Toffees attacker the Brazilian - headed home a third to put the game to bed.

Jake O'Brien believed he had equalized the tally a short while after Van de Ven's opener, glancing a powerful header past the Spurs keeper from an Everton corner.

The Portuguese striker, meanwhile, missed a number of opportunities, while Vicario made a series of excellent saves to guarantee Tottenham went five matches on the road unbeaten in the English top flight.

But the video assistant referee intervened, instructing the match official to check the score on the pitchside monitor and the referee ruled that Jack Grealish and the attacker were in offside positions and had interfered with the Spurs keeper.

The win elevates Thomas Frank's team into third place in the Premier League, five points off local foes and table-toppers the Gunners.

The Merseyside club stay in 14th position and sit half a dozen points ahead of the drop zone.

Tottenham analysis: Van de Ven excels in role at both ends of pitch

After a drab weekday performance in the European competition against Monaco, where they managed a only attempts on goal, the manager chose Randal Kolo Muani in attack instead of former Toffees player the Brazilian.

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

Centre-back Van de Ven converted into an offensive threat to be feared.

Spurs' first goal came from a well-worked corner routine, with the midfielder directing the ball toward the face of goal for an free Van de Ven to score.

And the captain - stepping up as captain in Cristian Romero's absence - notched his second in first-half stoppage time as he rose above Jordan Pickford to head home.

The Dutchman was equally outstanding in defensive duties, combining effectively with his defensive colleague as the duo handled superbly with the 34 crosses thrown their way by Everton.

Everton analysis: Toffees missing striker's instinct

Everton's recent stadium had been a happy hunting ground, but it seems the novelty may have faded slightly and supporters headed to the gates after the midfielder's third for Spurs.

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

Beto and Thierno Barry - the Toffees' pair of established centre-forwards - had scored just a single goal between them before Sunday's outing.

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

Beto's form was epitomized when he chose to bicycle-kick a clear chance from near the goal, even with having space 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 65th minute.

It wasn't for a lack of opportunity. The majority of the home side's attacks came through the winger and the forward, who relentlessly whipped dangerous crosses into the Spurs penalty area.

Upcoming fixtures for both teams?

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

Tottenham: The London club go to St James' Park on Wednesday, 29 October for their fourth-round Carabao Cup match against the Magpies.

James Sullivan
James Sullivan

A seasoned UK gambling analyst with over a decade of experience in reviewing online casinos and optimizing player strategies.