Micky van de Ven Brace Ends Everton's Unbeaten Streak at Brand New Stadium

Micky van de Ven celebrating

Micky van de Ven became the first backline player to score twice in a Premier League game for Tottenham since Jan Vertonghen in spring 2013.

At a glance

  • The Spurs defender heads home twice in opening period

  • The home side's Jake O'Brien has equalizer disallowed after video check

  • Senegalese midfielder nets third in 89th minute

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

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

Everton were undefeated in their last five matches at their recently opened stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, having left their historic home behind after 133 years at the conclusion of last season.

But Tottenham's leader Van de Ven pounced on two occasions from set-pieces in the opening 45 minutes to place their impressive record at risk, and they were failed to mount a comeback before the midfielder - assisted by former Toffees attacker Richarlison - nodded in a final goal to put the game to bed.

Jake O'Brien thought he had levelled the tally a short while after the defender's first goal, glancing a powerful header past Guglielmo Vicario from an Everton corner.

Beto, meanwhile, missed a number of chances, while the Italian goalkeeper made a series of fine saves to guarantee the London club went five away games unbeaten in the English top flight.

But the VAR intervened, advising Craig Pawson to check the goal on the pitchside monitor and the referee ruled that the winger and the attacker were in an illegal position and had interfered with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

The win elevates Thomas Frank's side into third place in the Premier League, a handful of points off north London rivals and table-toppers the Gunners.

The Merseyside club stay in 14th position and sit six points clear of the relegation zone.

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

Following a drab midweek performance in the Champions League against the French side, where they managed a only two shots on target, the manager chose Randal Kolo Muani in attack instead of former Toffees player the Brazilian.

The summer signing was unable to make much of an impact before being replaced for the substitute after 60 minutes on the pitch, but it emerged he proved unnecessary in the end.

Centre-back the Dutchman converted into an attacking force to be reckoned with.

Spurs' first goal came from a well-worked set-piece play, with the midfielder heading the ball back across the six-yard box for an free Van de Ven to score.

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

The Dutchman was just as impressive in defensive duties, combining well with his defensive colleague as the pair dealt excellently with the numerous deliveries thrown their way by the opposition.

Everton analysis: Toffees lacking striker's instinct

The club's recent stadium had been a fortress, but it appears the novelty may have faded somewhat and supporters flocked to the gates after Sarr's final goal for Tottenham.

The break in Everton's unbeaten home run will not be a massive worry for David Moyes, but their attacking woes are.

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

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

Beto's performance was summed up when he chose to overhead kick a clear chance from close range, even with having room and time to readjust for a simpler shot that would have challenged the keeper.

The substitute, too, was unable to make an impact after replacing the starter in the second half.

It was not for a lack of chance. Most of Everton's offensive moves came through the winger and the forward, who tirelessly delivered threatening crosses into the Spurs box.

What next for these two sides?

Everton: Moyes' men head to Sunderland in the Premier League on early November at 8 PM.

Spurs: The London club go to St James' Park on late October for their next round League Cup tie against Newcastle.

Brittney Gutierrez
Brittney Gutierrez

A passionate fiber artist and knitting enthusiast with over a decade of experience in creating unique, hand-dyed yarns and teaching crafting techniques.