Van de Ven Brace Halts The Toffees' Run at New Stadium

Micky van de Ven celebrating

The Dutch defender emerged as the first defender to net two goals in a Premier League game for Tottenham since Jan Vertonghen in spring 2013.

Match summary

  • The Spurs defender nods home twice in first half

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

  • Pape Matar Sarr scores final goal in dying moments

  • This loss is Everton's initial at Hill Dickinson Stadium

The Tottenham defender found the net on two occasions as Spurs extended their winning streak on the road in the Premier League and handed Everton their initial loss at their new home.

Everton were unbeaten in their last five matches at their recently opened stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, having left their historic home behind after more than a century at the end of last season.

But Spurs captain Van de Ven pounced on two occasions from set-pieces in the first half to place their strong form at jeopardy, and they were unable to mount a comeback before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by ex-Everton forward Richarlison - nodded in a final goal to put the game to bed.

Jake O'Brien thought he had levelled the scores a short while after Van de Ven's first goal, directing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an set-piece.

The Portuguese striker, in the meantime, failed to convert a number of chances, while Vicario made a series of fine stops to guarantee Tottenham went five matches on the road unbeaten in the English top flight.

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

This victory moves the manager's team up to third in the division, five points off local foes and table-toppers Arsenal.

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

Spurs breakdown: Van de Ven excels in duties at each end of the field

After a drab weekday display in the Champions League against Monaco, where they managed a only two shots on goal, Frank opted for the French striker up front instead of ex-Everton forward Richarlison.

The new arrival was failed to influence the game before being replaced for Richarlison after 60 minutes on the field, but it turns out he proved unnecessary in the final outcome.

Defender Van de Ven converted into an offensive threat to be feared.

Spurs' first goal came from a cleverly executed corner routine, with Rodrigo Bentancur directing the ball toward the face of goal for an free the defender to head home.

And Ven de Ven - filling in as captain in Cristian Romero's unavailability - added his next goal in first-half stoppage time as he outjumped Jordan Pickford to head home.

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

Toffees breakdown: Toffees lacking striker's instinct

Everton's new home had been a happy hunting ground, but it appears the freshness may have faded somewhat and supporters flocked to the exits after Sarr's final goal for Spurs.

The end in Everton's winning streak at home will not be a major concern for David Moyes, but their striker situation will be.

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

And they were unable to contribute to that miserable tally on a wet and gloomy evening on in Liverpool.

The striker's form was epitomized when he chose to bicycle-kick a golden opportunity from close range, despite having room and opportunity to reposition for a more conventional shot that would have challenged Vicario.

Barry, too, failed to influence the game after replacing Beto in the 65th minute.

It wasn't for a lack of chance. Most of the home side's attacks came through Grealish and the forward, who tirelessly delivered threatening balls into the Tottenham box.

Upcoming fixtures for both teams?

The Toffees: The team head to Sunderland in the top flight on early November at 8 PM.

Tottenham: Spurs go to St James' Park on late October for their next round League Cup tie against the Magpies.

Jennifer Adams
Jennifer Adams

An avid angler with 15 years of experience, sharing expert reel repair techniques.

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