Micky van de Ven Brace Halts Everton's Run at Brand New Stadium

Micky van de Ven celebrating

Micky van de Ven became the initial backline player to score twice in a Premier League match for Spurs since Jan Vertonghen in March 2013.

At a glance

  • Micky Van de Ven heads into the net twice in first half

  • Everton's Jake O'Brien has equalizer disallowed after VAR review

  • Pape Matar Sarr scores final goal in dying moments

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

Micky van de Ven scored on two occasions as Spurs prolonged their winning streak on the road in the top division and delivered the Toffees their initial loss at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The Toffees were unbeaten in their five previous fixtures at their recently opened stadium at the dockside location, having left Goodison Park behind after more than a century at the end of last season.

But Spurs captain Van de Ven struck on two occasions from set-pieces in the first half to put their strong form at jeopardy, and they were failed to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by ex-Everton forward Richarlison - headed home a final goal to seal the victory.

Jake O'Brien thought he had equalized the scores a short while after the defender's first goal, glancing a powerful header past the Spurs keeper from an Everton corner.

Beto, in the meantime, failed to convert a handful of opportunities, while Vicario made a series of fine saves to guarantee Tottenham went five matches on the road without defeat in the Premier League.

But the VAR stepped in, advising Craig Pawson to review the score on the screen and the referee ruled that the winger and Iliman Ndiaye were in an illegal position and had interfered with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

The win moves the manager's team up to third in the division, five points off north London rivals and table-toppers Arsenal.

Everton remain 14th and sit half a dozen points clear of the drop zone.

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

Following a uninspiring weekday display in the European competition 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 new arrival was unable to make much of an impact before being substituted for Richarlison after an hour on the field, but it turns out he proved unnecessary in the end.

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 Rodrigo Bentancur heading the ball toward the face of goal for an unmarked the defender to head home.

And the captain - stepping up as skipper in the Argentine's absence - added his second in first-half stoppage time as he rose above Jordan Pickford to nod in.

The Dutchman was just as impressive in defence, partnering effectively with Kevin Danso as the pair handled superbly with the 34 crosses thrown their way by the opposition.

Everton analysis: Toffees lacking finishing touch

The club's recent stadium had been a fortress, but it seems the freshness may have faded slightly and supporters flocked to the gates after the midfielder's final goal for Tottenham.

The break in the team's unbeaten home run won't be a major worry for David Moyes, but their attacking woes are.

The forward and the other striker - the Toffees' two established centre-forwards - had netted just one league goal combined before Sunday's match.

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

Beto's performance was summed up when he chose to overhead kick a golden opportunity from near the goal, despite having space and opportunity to reposition for a more conventional shot that would have challenged the keeper.

The substitute, as well, was unable to make an impact after coming on for the starter in the second half.

It wasn't for a lack of opportunity. Most of the home side's offensive moves came through Grealish and the forward, who tirelessly delivered threatening crosses into the Spurs box.

Upcoming fixtures for both teams?

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

Tottenham: The London club go to Newcastle's ground on Wednesday, 29 October for their fourth-round Carabao Cup match against Newcastle.

Robert Knight
Robert Knight

A seasoned gaming analyst with over a decade of experience in online casinos and slot machine mechanics.