Micky van de Ven Double Halts The Toffees' Unbeaten Streak at New Stadium

Micky van de Ven celebrating

Micky van de Ven became the first backline player to score two goals in a English top-flight game for Tottenham since Jan Vertonghen in spring 2013.

At a glance

  • Micky Van de Ven nods home two times in first half

  • The home side's Jake O'Brien has equalizer ruled after VAR review

  • Senegalese midfielder scores third in dying moments

  • The defeat is the Merseyside club's initial at their new ground

Micky van de Ven found the net on two occasions as Tottenham extended their winning streak on the road in the top division and delivered Everton their initial loss at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton were undefeated in their last five matches at their new ground at the dockside location, having departed their historic home behind after more than a century at the end of the previous campaign.

But Spurs captain the Dutchman pounced twice from corners in the first half to place their impressive record at jeopardy, and they were failed to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by former Toffees attacker Richarlison - nodded in a third to put the game to bed.

Jake O'Brien thought he had levelled the scores a short while after the defender's first goal, directing a bullet header past the Spurs keeper from an set-piece.

Beto, meanwhile, failed to convert a handful of chances, while the Italian goalkeeper made a succession of fine stops to ensure the London club went five matches on the road without defeat in the English top flight.

But the VAR stepped in, instructing Craig Pawson to check the score on the screen and the official decided that the winger and the attacker were in offside positions and had interfered with the Spurs keeper.

The win moves Thomas Frank's side into third place in the division, five points off north London rivals and leaders Arsenal.

Everton remain 14th and are six points clear of the drop zone.

Spurs breakdown: The defender fulfils role at both ends of pitch

Following a uninspiring midweek display in the European competition against the French side, where they managed a only attempts on target, Frank opted for the French striker up front instead of ex-Everton forward Richarlison.

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

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 heading the ball toward the six-yard box for an unmarked Van de Ven to head home.

And the captain - stepping up as captain in Cristian Romero's unavailability - notched his next goal in first-half stoppage time as he outjumped the England keeper to head home.

Van de Ven was just as outstanding in defence, combining well with Kevin Danso as the pair handled superbly with the numerous deliveries thrown their way by Everton.

Toffees breakdown: Everton lacking finishing touch

The club's recent stadium had been a fortress, but it appears the novelty may have faded somewhat and fans headed to the exits after the midfielder's final goal for Spurs.

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

Beto and the other striker - the Everton's two established centre-forwards - had netted just one league goal between them before Sunday's match.

And they were failed to add to that poor record on a damp and dreary night on Merseyside.

The striker's form was epitomized when he chose to bicycle-kick a golden opportunity from near the goal, despite having space and opportunity to reposition for a more conventional attempt that would have challenged the keeper.

The substitute, too, failed to make an impact after coming on for Beto in the 65th minute.

It was not for a lack of chance. Most of the home side's offensive moves came through Grealish and Ndiaye, who tirelessly delivered dangerous balls into the Spurs box.

What next for both teams?

The Toffees: Moyes' men travel to Sunderland in the top flight on Monday, 3 November at 20:00 GMT.

Spurs: Spurs travel to Newcastle's ground on late October for their fourth-round Carabao Cup tie against Newcastle.

Ashley Sampson
Ashley Sampson

A tech enthusiast and digital strategist with over a decade of experience in analyzing emerging technologies and their impact on society.