Van de Ven Brace Halts The Toffees' Run at Brand New Stadium

Micky van de Ven celebrating

The Dutch defender emerged as the first backline player to net two goals in a Premier League game for Tottenham since Jan Vertonghen in March 2013.

Match summary

  • The Spurs defender nods into the net twice in opening period

  • Everton's Jake O'Brien has goal disallowed after VAR review

  • Senegalese midfielder scores third in 89th minute

  • This loss is the Merseyside club's first at their new ground

The Tottenham defender scored twice as Tottenham extended their unbeaten run in away games in the top division and handed the Toffees their first defeat at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The Toffees were unbeaten in their last five matches at their recently opened stadium at the dockside location, having left Goodison Park behind after 133 years at the conclusion of the previous campaign.

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

The Everton defender thought he had levelled the tally five minutes after Van de Ven's first goal, glancing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an set-piece.

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

But the VAR intervened, instructing the match official to review the goal on the screen and the referee decided that the winger and the attacker were in offside positions and had interfered with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

The win elevates the manager's team into third place in the division, a handful of points off north London rivals and table-toppers Arsenal.

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

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

Following a uninspiring weekday display in the Champions League against Monaco, where they managed a mere two shots on goal, the manager chose the French striker up front instead of ex-Everton forward the Brazilian.

The new arrival was unable to influence the game before being replaced for the substitute after an hour on the field, but it turns out he wasn't needed in the final outcome.

Centre-back the Dutchman transformed into an offensive threat to be reckoned with.

Spurs' opening strike came from a cleverly executed set-piece play, with the midfielder directing the ball back across the six-yard box for an free the defender to score.

And Ven de Ven - stepping up as skipper in Cristian Romero's unavailability - notched his next goal in first-half stoppage time as he outjumped Jordan Pickford to head home.

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

Everton analysis: Toffees missing striker's instinct

The club's new home had been a fortress, but it appears the novelty may have worn off somewhat and supporters headed to the exits after Sarr's final goal for Tottenham.

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

Beto and the other striker - the Toffees' two established strikers - had scored only one league goal between them before the weekend's match.

And they were unable to contribute to that poor tally on a wet and gloomy evening on Merseyside.

Beto's performance was epitomized when he chose to bicycle-kick a golden opportunity from close range, even with having room and time to readjust for a more conventional attempt that would have challenged the keeper.

Barry, too, failed to make an impact after coming on for the starter in the second half.

It wasn't for a lack of chance. Most of Everton's offensive moves came through Grealish and Ndiaye, who tirelessly delivered dangerous balls into the Tottenham penalty area.

What next for these two sides?

Everton: Moyes' men travel to the Stadium of Light in the Premier League on early November at 8 PM.

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

Jason Gray
Jason Gray

A Berlin-based political analyst with over a decade of experience covering German and European affairs.