Van de Ven Brace Halts Everton's Unbeaten Streak at Brand New Home Ground

Micky van de Ven celebrating

Micky van de Ven emerged as the initial backline player to net twice in a Premier League game for Tottenham since the Belgian defender in March 2013.

At a glance

  • The Spurs defender heads home two times in first half

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

  • Senegalese midfielder scores final goal in 89th minute

  • This loss is Everton's first at their new ground

The Tottenham defender scored twice as Spurs extended their winning streak on the road in the Premier League and handed the Toffees their first defeat at their new home.

The Toffees were unbeaten in their five previous fixtures at their recently opened stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, having left their historic home behind after more than a century at the conclusion of last season.

But Spurs captain Van de Ven struck twice from set-pieces in the opening 45 minutes to put their strong form at risk, and they were failed to turn it around before the midfielder - set up by ex-Everton forward Richarlison - nodded in a third to seal the victory.

Jake O'Brien thought he had equalized the tally a short while after the defender's opener, directing a powerful header past Guglielmo Vicario from an Everton corner.

The Portuguese striker, meanwhile, failed to convert a number of opportunities, while Vicario made a series of excellent stops to ensure the London club went five matches on the road unbeaten in the Premier League.

But the VAR intervened, advising Craig Pawson to check the score on the pitchside monitor and the official ruled that the winger and Iliman Ndiaye were in offside positions and had impeded with the Spurs keeper.

The win moves the manager's team up to third in the Premier League, a handful of points off local foes and leaders the Gunners.

Everton remain 14th and sit half a dozen points clear of the drop zone.

Tottenham analysis: Van de Ven fulfils duties at each end of pitch

Following a drab midweek display in the Champions League against the French side, where they mustered a mere attempts on goal, Frank opted for the French striker up front instead of ex-Everton forward the Brazilian.

The summer signing was failed to influence the game before being substituted for the substitute after an hour on the pitch, but it turns out he proved unnecessary in the final outcome.

Centre-back Van de Ven converted into an offensive threat to be feared.

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

And Ven de Ven - stepping up as skipper in the Argentine's unavailability - added his second in added time as he rose above Jordan Pickford to nod in.

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

Toffees breakdown: Toffees missing striker's instinct

The club's new home had been a fortress, but it appears the freshness may have worn off somewhat and fans flocked to the exits after the midfielder's third for Tottenham.

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

The forward and Thierno Barry - the Toffees' pair of established strikers - had netted just one league goal combined before the weekend's outing.

And they were failed to add to that poor record on a wet and gloomy night on Merseyside.

The striker's form was epitomized when he chose to overhead kick a clear chance from close range, even with having space and opportunity to reposition for a more conventional attempt that would have tested Vicario.

Barry, too, was unable to influence the game after replacing the starter in the second half.

It was not for a lack of chance. The majority of Everton's offensive moves came through Grealish and Ndiaye, who relentlessly delivered dangerous crosses into the Tottenham penalty area.

Upcoming fixtures for both teams?

Everton: Moyes' men head to Sunderland in the Premier League on Monday, 3 November at 20:00 GMT.

Tottenham: Spurs travel to St James' Park on Wednesday, 29 October for their fourth-round League Cup match against Newcastle.

Paula Morgan
Paula Morgan

Cybersecurity expert with 15+ years in data protection and cloud infrastructure, passionate about helping businesses secure their digital assets.