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

Micky van de Ven celebrating

The Dutch defender emerged as the initial defender to net two goals in a Premier League match for Spurs since Jan Vertonghen in spring 2013.

Key points

  • Micky Van de Ven nods home two times in opening period

  • The home side's Jake O'Brien has goal ruled after video check

  • Senegalese midfielder nets final goal in 89th minute

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

Micky van de Ven scored on two occasions as Spurs extended their unbeaten run in away games in the Premier League and handed Everton their first defeat at their new home.

Everton were unbeaten in their five previous fixtures at their recently opened stadium at the dockside location, having departed their historic home behind after 133 years at the conclusion of the previous campaign.

But Spurs captain the Dutchman struck twice from corners in the first half to put their strong form at risk, and they were failed to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by former Toffees attacker the Brazilian - headed home a final goal to put the game to bed.

Jake O'Brien believed he had levelled the scores a short while after the defender's opener, directing a powerful header past the Spurs keeper from an set-piece.

The Portuguese striker, meanwhile, failed to convert a handful of chances, while the Italian goalkeeper made a series of excellent saves to ensure the London club went five away games without defeat in the English top flight.

But the VAR intervened, instructing Craig Pawson to check the goal on the pitchside monitor and the referee decided that Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye were in an illegal position and had impeded with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

The win moves the manager's side up to third in the division, a handful of points off north London rivals and table-toppers the Gunners.

Everton remain 14th and are half a dozen points ahead of the drop zone.

Spurs breakdown: The defender fulfils role at each end of the field

After a drab midweek display in the European competition against Monaco, where they managed a mere two shots on goal, the manager chose the French striker in attack instead of ex-Everton forward Richarlison.

The new arrival was failed to make much of an impact before being substituted for Richarlison after 60 minutes on the pitch, but it turns out he proved unnecessary in the final outcome.

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

Tottenham's opening strike came from a well-worked set-piece play, with the midfielder directing the ball toward the face of goal for an unmarked the defender to score.

And Ven de Ven - filling in as skipper in the Argentine's absence - added his next goal in first-half stoppage time as he rose above Jordan Pickford to nod in.

The Dutchman was equally impressive in defensive duties, combining well with Kevin Danso as the pair handled excellently with the 34 crosses thrown their way by the opposition.

Toffees breakdown: Toffees missing striker's instinct

The club's new home had been a happy hunting ground, but it seems the novelty may have faded slightly and fans flocked to the exits after Sarr's third for Tottenham.

The break in Everton's unbeaten home run will not be a massive concern for David Moyes, but their striker situation are.

The forward and Thierno Barry - the Everton's pair of recognised centre-forwards - had netted only one league goal combined before the weekend's match.

And they were failed to contribute to that miserable record on a wet and gloomy night on in Liverpool.

Beto's form was epitomized when he opted to overhead kick a clear chance from near the goal, despite having room and opportunity to reposition for a more conventional shot that would have challenged the keeper.

The substitute, too, failed to influence the game after coming on for the starter in the 65th minute.

It wasn't for a shortage of opportunity. Most of Everton's offensive moves came through the winger and the forward, who relentlessly whipped dangerous crosses into the Spurs box.

Upcoming fixtures for these two sides?

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

Spurs: Spurs travel to Newcastle's ground on late October for their next round League Cup tie against the Magpies.

Ruben Wood
Ruben Wood

A seasoned betting analyst with over a decade of experience in UK sports markets, specializing in data-driven strategies.

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