Van de Ven Double Ends The Toffees' Run at Brand New Home Ground

Micky van de Ven celebrating

Micky van de Ven emerged as the first defender to net two goals in a Premier League game for Spurs since Jan Vertonghen in March 2013.

At a glance

  • The Spurs defender heads home two times in opening period

  • Everton's defender has goal ruled after VAR review

  • Pape Matar Sarr scores final goal in dying moments

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

Micky van de Ven scored twice as Tottenham prolonged their unbeaten run in away games in the top division and delivered the Toffees their initial loss at their new home.

Everton were unbeaten in their last five matches at their new ground at Bramley-Moore Dock, having departed their historic home behind after 133 years at the conclusion of last season.

But Spurs captain Van de Ven pounced twice from set-pieces in the first half to place their strong form at jeopardy, and they were failed to mount a comeback before Pape Matar Sarr - assisted by former Toffees attacker Richarlison - nodded in a third to seal the victory.

Jake O'Brien thought he had levelled the scores a short while after Van de Ven's opener, directing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an Everton corner.

The Portuguese striker, in the meantime, missed a number of chances, while the Italian goalkeeper made a series of excellent saves to guarantee the London club went five away games without defeat in the English top flight.

But the VAR intervened, advising the match official to review the goal on the pitchside monitor and the official decided that Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye were in offside positions and had impeded with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

The win elevates Thomas Frank's team up to third in the Premier League, five points off north London rivals and table-toppers the Gunners.

The Merseyside club remain in 14th position and sit half a dozen points ahead of the relegation zone.

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

Following a drab weekday performance in the Champions League against Monaco, where they mustered a mere two shots on target, the manager chose Randal Kolo Muani up front instead of ex-Everton forward Richarlison.

The summer signing was failed to make much of an impact before being substituted for Richarlison after an hour on the pitch, but it turns out he wasn't needed in the end.

Defender Van de Ven converted into an attacking force to be reckoned with.

Tottenham's first goal came from a cleverly executed set-piece play, with Rodrigo Bentancur directing the ball toward the six-yard box for an free the defender to head home.

And the captain - filling in as skipper in Cristian Romero's absence - added his second in first-half stoppage time as he rose above the England keeper to head home.

Van de Ven was just as impressive in defensive duties, combining well with Kevin Danso as the pair dealt excellently with the numerous deliveries sent their way by Everton.

Toffees breakdown: Toffees missing finishing touch

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

The end in the team's unbeaten home run will not be a major concern for David Moyes, but their striker situation are.

The forward and the other striker - the Toffees' two recognised centre-forwards - had netted just one league goal between them before Sunday's outing.

And they were unable to add to that miserable tally on a damp and dreary evening on Merseyside.

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

Barry, as well, was unable to make an impact after coming on for the starter in the 65th minute.

It wasn't for a shortage of opportunity. Most of the home side's offensive moves came through Grealish and the forward, who relentlessly delivered dangerous balls into the Tottenham box.

What next for both teams?

Everton: The team head to Sunderland in the top flight on early November at 20:00 GMT.

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

Shelby Buck
Shelby Buck

A cybersecurity specialist and tech writer with over a decade of experience in digital innovation and enterprise solutions.