Micky van de Ven Double Halts The Toffees' Run at New Stadium

Micky van de Ven celebrating

The Dutch defender emerged as the first backline player to net two goals in a English top-flight match for Tottenham since Jan Vertonghen in March 2013.

Key points

  • Micky Van de Ven nods into the net twice in opening period

  • Everton's defender has goal disallowed after video check

  • Pape Matar Sarr nets final goal in 89th minute

  • This loss is Everton's first at Hill Dickinson Stadium

The Tottenham defender scored twice as Tottenham prolonged their unbeaten run in away games in the top division and delivered the Toffees their first defeat at their new home.

The Toffees were undefeated in their five previous fixtures at their recently opened stadium at the dockside location, having left Goodison Park behind after more than a century at the end of the previous campaign.

But Spurs captain Van de Ven pounced twice from corners in the opening 45 minutes to place their strong form at jeopardy, and they were unable to mount a comeback before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by ex-Everton forward Richarlison - nodded in a third to seal the victory.

Jake O'Brien believed he had levelled the tally five minutes after Van de Ven's opener, directing a powerful header past the Spurs keeper from an Everton corner.

Beto, in the meantime, missed a number of chances, while Vicario made a succession of excellent saves to guarantee Tottenham went five matches on the road unbeaten in the English top flight.

But the VAR intervened, instructing the match official to review the score on the pitchside monitor and the official decided that Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye were in offside positions and had interfered with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

The win moves Thomas Frank's side into third place in the division, a handful of points off local foes and table-toppers Arsenal.

Everton stay in 14th position and are six points clear of the relegation zone.

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

Following a drab weekday performance in the European competition against the French side, where they managed a mere attempts on goal, Frank opted for Randal Kolo Muani up front instead of former Toffees player the Brazilian.

The new arrival was unable to make much of an impact before being substituted for the substitute after 60 minutes on the pitch, but it turns out he wasn't needed in the final outcome.

Defender the Dutchman converted into an attacking force to be reckoned with.

Tottenham's opening strike came from a cleverly executed corner routine, with the midfielder directing the ball back across the six-yard box for an unmarked Van de Ven to head home.

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

The Dutchman was equally impressive in defence, combining effectively with Kevin Danso as the pair dealt excellently with the 34 crosses thrown their way by the opposition.

Toffees breakdown: Everton lacking striker's instinct

The club's new home had been a happy hunting ground, but it seems the novelty may have faded somewhat and fans headed to the gates after the midfielder's third for Spurs.

The break in Everton's unbeaten home run will not be a massive concern for the manager, but their attacking woes are.

Beto and Thierno Barry - the Toffees' two established centre-forwards - had netted just a single goal combined before the weekend's outing.

And they were unable to contribute to that poor record on a wet and gloomy evening on in Liverpool.

The striker's performance was epitomized when he opted to overhead kick a golden opportunity from near the goal, even with having room and opportunity to readjust for a more conventional shot that would have challenged Vicario.

Barry, as well, failed to influence the game after replacing Beto in the 65th minute.

It wasn't for a shortage of chance. The majority of Everton's attacks came through Grealish and Ndiaye, who relentlessly delivered dangerous balls into the Tottenham box.

What next for these two sides?

Everton: The team travel to Sunderland in the Premier League on Monday, 3 November at 20:00 GMT.

Spurs: Spurs travel to St James' Park on late October for their fourth-round League Cup tie against the Magpies.

Andrea Booker
Andrea Booker

Tech enthusiast and digital strategist with a passion for emerging technologies and their impact on society.