Micky van de Ven Double Ends The Toffees' Run at Brand New Home Ground

Micky van de Ven celebrating

The Dutch defender became the initial backline player to score two goals in a Premier League game for Tottenham since Jan Vertonghen in spring 2013.

Match summary

  • The Spurs defender heads into the net 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

Micky van de Ven scored on two occasions as Tottenham prolonged their unbeaten run on the road in the top division and delivered the Toffees their initial loss at their new home.

The Toffees were undefeated in their five previous fixtures at their recently opened stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, having left Goodison Park behind after more than a century at the conclusion of the previous campaign.

But Spurs captain Van de Ven pounced twice from corners in the first half to place their impressive record at risk, and they were unable to mount a comeback before the midfielder - set up by former Toffees attacker the Brazilian - nodded in a final goal to seal the victory.

The Everton defender thought he had levelled the tally a short while after the defender's first goal, directing a bullet header past the Spurs keeper from an Everton corner.

The Portuguese striker, in the meantime, missed a number of chances, while Vicario made a succession of fine saves to ensure the London club went five matches on the road unbeaten in the English top flight.

But the VAR stepped in, instructing the match official to check the score on the pitchside monitor and the official decided that Jack Grealish and the attacker were in offside positions and had impeded with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

The win moves the manager's team up to third in the division, a handful of points off north London rivals and leaders Arsenal.

The Merseyside club stay 14th and are six points clear of the drop zone.

Spurs breakdown: The defender excels in role at both ends of the field

Following a uninspiring midweek performance in the Champions League against Monaco, where they mustered a only two shots on target, 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 substituted for Richarlison after an hour on the pitch, but it emerged he proved unnecessary in the final outcome.

Defender the Dutchman transformed into an offensive threat to be feared.

Spurs' opening strike came from a well-worked corner routine, with Rodrigo Bentancur directing the ball back across the six-yard box for an unmarked Van de Ven to head home.

And the captain - stepping up as skipper in the Argentine's unavailability - added his next goal in first-half stoppage time as he outjumped Jordan Pickford to head home.

Van de Ven was equally outstanding in defence, combining effectively with his defensive colleague as the duo handled excellently with the numerous deliveries thrown their way by the opposition.

Everton analysis: Everton lacking finishing touch

Everton's new home had been a fortress, but it seems the freshness may have faded slightly and supporters headed to the gates after Sarr's third for Spurs.

The end in the team's unbeaten home run won't be a massive worry for the manager, but their attacking woes will be.

Beto and Thierno Barry - the Everton's pair of recognised centre-forwards - had netted only a single goal combined before the weekend's match.

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

Beto's form 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 more conventional shot that would have challenged the keeper.

The substitute, as well, was unable to influence the game after replacing Beto in the 65th minute.

It wasn't for a shortage of opportunity. The majority of Everton's offensive moves came through Grealish and Ndiaye, who relentlessly delivered dangerous balls into the Tottenham penalty area.

Upcoming fixtures for both teams?

The Toffees: Moyes' men head to the Stadium of Light in the Premier League on Monday, 3 November at 20:00 GMT.

Spurs: The London club travel to Newcastle's ground on late October for their next round Carabao Cup tie against the Magpies.

James Fields
James Fields

Professional poker player and strategy analyst with over a decade of experience in high-stakes tournaments and online poker.