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

Micky van de Ven celebrating

The Dutch defender became the first defender to net two goals in a English top-flight match for Tottenham since Jan Vertonghen in spring 2013.

Match summary

  • The Spurs defender heads home two times in first half

  • The home side's defender has equalizer disallowed after video check

  • Senegalese midfielder scores final goal in 89th minute

  • The defeat is Everton's initial at Hill Dickinson Stadium

Micky van de Ven found the net on two occasions as Tottenham prolonged their unbeaten run on the road in the top division and handed the Toffees their first defeat at their new home.

Everton were unbeaten in their five previous fixtures at their new ground at Bramley-Moore Dock, having left Goodison Park behind after 133 years at the conclusion of last season.

But Spurs captain Van de Ven struck on two occasions from set-pieces in the opening 45 minutes to put their impressive record at risk, and they were unable to mount a comeback before the midfielder - assisted by ex-Everton forward the Brazilian - nodded in a final goal to put the game to bed.

The Everton defender thought he had equalized the scores a short while after Van de Ven's opener, directing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an Everton corner.

The Portuguese striker, in the meantime, missed a handful of opportunities, while Vicario made a succession of excellent saves to guarantee Tottenham went five matches on the road without defeat in the English top flight.

But the video assistant referee intervened, advising Craig Pawson to review the score on the screen and the referee ruled that Jack Grealish and the attacker were in offside positions and had interfered with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

This victory moves the manager's team up to third in the division, five points off local foes and table-toppers Arsenal.

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

Tottenham analysis: Van de Ven excels in role at each end of the field

After a uninspiring midweek display in the European competition against the French side, where they mustered a mere two shots on goal, the manager opted for the French striker up front instead of former Toffees player 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 proved unnecessary in the end.

Centre-back the Dutchman converted into an offensive threat to be feared.

Spurs' opening strike came from a cleverly executed corner routine, with Rodrigo Bentancur heading the ball back across the six-yard box for an unmarked the defender to score.

And the captain - stepping up as skipper in the Argentine's unavailability - notched his second in first-half stoppage time as he outjumped Jordan Pickford to nod in.

Van de Ven was equally impressive in defence, combining effectively with Kevin Danso as the pair handled superbly with the 34 crosses thrown their way by the opposition.

Everton analysis: Everton missing striker's instinct

The club's new home had been a fortress, but it seems the novelty may have faded somewhat and fans flocked to the exits after Sarr's final goal for Spurs.

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

Beto and Thierno Barry - the Everton's two established strikers - had netted only one league goal combined before the weekend's match.

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

Beto's performance was epitomized when he chose to overhead kick a golden opportunity from close range, even with having room and opportunity to readjust for a simpler shot that would have tested the keeper.

The substitute, as well, failed to influence the game after coming on for Beto in the 65th minute.

It wasn't for a shortage of chance. The majority of the home side's attacks came through Grealish and the forward, who relentlessly delivered threatening crosses into the Tottenham box.

What next for both teams?

Everton: The team head to the Stadium of Light in the Premier League on early November at 8 PM.

Tottenham: The London club travel to St James' Park on late October for their next round League Cup match against the Magpies.

Stephanie Dominguez
Stephanie Dominguez

A tech journalist and digital strategist with over a decade of experience covering AI, cybersecurity, and future tech trends across Europe.