Micky van de Ven Brace Ends The Toffees' Unbeaten Streak at New Home Ground

Micky van de Ven celebrating

Micky van de Ven became the initial defender to net twice in a English top-flight match for Tottenham since the Belgian defender in spring 2013.

Key points

  • Micky Van de Ven heads into the net twice in first half

  • Everton's defender has equalizer ruled after video check

  • Senegalese midfielder scores third in dying moments

  • This loss is Everton's initial at their new ground

The Tottenham defender found the net on two occasions as Tottenham prolonged their unbeaten run in away games in the top division and delivered the Toffees their initial loss at their new home.

The Toffees were unbeaten in their last five matches at their new ground at Bramley-Moore Dock, having departed Goodison Park behind after more than a century at the end of the previous campaign.

But Spurs captain Van de Ven pounced twice from set-pieces in the first half to put their strong form at jeopardy, and they were unable to mount a comeback before the midfielder - set up by ex-Everton forward the Brazilian - nodded in a third to seal the victory.

Jake O'Brien thought he had equalized the scores a short while after Van de Ven's opener, directing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an set-piece.

The Portuguese striker, meanwhile, missed a handful of opportunities, while the Italian goalkeeper made a succession of fine stops to guarantee the London club went five matches on the road unbeaten in the English top flight.

But the video assistant referee stepped in, instructing the match official to review the score on the screen and the official decided that Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye were in an illegal position and had interfered with the Spurs keeper.

The win moves the manager's team into third place in the Premier League, a handful of points off local foes and leaders Arsenal.

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

Tottenham analysis: The defender fulfils role at each end of pitch

After a drab midweek display in the European competition against the French side, where they mustered a only two shots on goal, 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 Richarlison after 60 minutes on the field, but it emerged he wasn't needed in the end.

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

Spurs' opening strike came from a well-worked set-piece play, with the midfielder heading the ball toward the six-yard box for an unmarked Van de Ven to score.

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

Van de Ven was equally outstanding in defensive duties, combining effectively with his defensive colleague as the pair handled superbly with the 34 crosses sent their way by Everton.

Toffees breakdown: Everton lacking striker's instinct

Everton's new home had been a fortress, but it seems the freshness may have worn off somewhat and fans headed to the gates after the midfielder's third for Spurs.

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

Beto and Thierno Barry - the Toffees' two established strikers - had netted just one league goal combined before the weekend's outing.

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

The striker's performance was summed up when he opted to bicycle-kick a clear chance from near the goal, even with having space and time to reposition for a simpler shot that would have tested the keeper.

Barry, as well, failed to influence the game after coming on for the starter in the second half.

It wasn't for a shortage of opportunity. The majority of the home side's offensive moves came through Grealish and the forward, who relentlessly whipped dangerous balls into the Spurs penalty area.

Upcoming fixtures for both teams?

The Toffees: The team head to the Stadium of Light in the Premier League on early November at 20:00 GMT.

Spurs: Spurs go to Newcastle's ground on Wednesday, 29 October for their fourth-round Carabao Cup tie against the Magpies.

Paul Morales
Paul Morales

Eva is a local artist and passionate storyteller, sharing her love for Nijmegen's vibrant art scene through insightful posts.