Micky van de Ven Brace Ends The Toffees' Run at Brand New Stadium

Micky van de Ven celebrating

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

Match summary

  • The Spurs defender heads home twice in first half

  • Everton's defender has goal disallowed after VAR review

  • Senegalese midfielder nets final goal in dying moments

  • This loss is the Merseyside club's initial at Hill Dickinson Stadium

Micky van de Ven found the net on two occasions as Spurs prolonged their unbeaten run in away games in the Premier League and delivered the Toffees their initial loss at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The Toffees were undefeated in their five previous fixtures at their recently opened stadium at the dockside location, having left their historic home behind after more than a century 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 put their strong form at jeopardy, and they were unable to mount a comeback before the midfielder - assisted by ex-Everton forward the Brazilian - 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 opener, directing a bullet header past the Spurs keeper from an set-piece.

Beto, meanwhile, missed a handful of chances, while Vicario made a series of excellent stops to ensure the London club went five matches on the road without defeat in the English top flight.

But the video assistant referee intervened, instructing Craig Pawson to check the goal on the screen and the official decided that the winger and Iliman Ndiaye were in offside positions and had impeded with the Spurs keeper.

The win elevates Thomas Frank's side up to third in the division, a handful of points off north London rivals and table-toppers Arsenal.

Everton remain in 14th position and sit half a dozen points ahead of the drop zone.

Tottenham analysis: Van de Ven excels in role at both ends of the field

After a uninspiring midweek performance in the European competition against the French side, where they managed a only attempts on goal, Frank chose the French striker up front instead of former Toffees player Richarlison.

The summer signing was failed to make much of an impact before being replaced for Richarlison after an hour on the field, but it emerged he wasn't needed in the final outcome.

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

Spurs' opening strike came from a well-worked set-piece play, with the midfielder heading the ball toward the face of goal for an unmarked Van de Ven to head home.

And the captain - filling in as skipper in the Argentine's unavailability - notched his next goal in first-half stoppage time as he rose above the England keeper to head home.

The Dutchman was equally outstanding in defence, combining effectively with his defensive colleague as the pair handled superbly with the 34 crosses thrown their way by the opposition.

Everton analysis: Everton missing striker's instinct

Everton's new home had been a happy hunting ground, but it seems the freshness may have faded somewhat and fans headed to the exits after the midfielder's third for Tottenham.

The break in the team's unbeaten home run will not be a major concern for the manager, but their attacking woes are.

Beto and the other striker - the Everton's two recognised centre-forwards - had scored only a single goal between them before Sunday's outing.

And they were unable to add to that poor record on a wet and gloomy evening on Merseyside.

Beto's form was summed up when he opted to overhead kick a clear chance from near the goal, even with having room and time to reposition for a simpler attempt that would have challenged Vicario.

The substitute, too, was unable to make an impact after replacing Beto in the 65th minute.

It was not for a shortage of opportunity. The majority of Everton's offensive moves came through the winger and the forward, who relentlessly delivered dangerous crosses into the Tottenham box.

Upcoming fixtures for both teams?

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

Tottenham: Spurs go to St James' Park on Wednesday, 29 October for their next round League Cup match against the Magpies.

Ray Bailey
Ray Bailey

A passionate gaming journalist and esports analyst with over a decade of experience covering the industry.