Micky van de Ven Brace Halts The Toffees' Run at Brand New Home Ground

Micky van de Ven celebrating

Micky van de Ven emerged as the initial backline player to net twice in a English top-flight game for Spurs since Jan Vertonghen in March 2013.

Match summary

  • The Spurs defender nods into the net twice in opening period

  • The home side's defender has equalizer ruled after video check

  • Pape Matar Sarr nets final goal in dying moments

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

The Tottenham defender scored twice as Spurs extended their winning streak in away games in the top division and delivered the Toffees their first defeat at their new home.

Everton were unbeaten in their five previous fixtures at their recently opened stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, having departed Goodison Park behind after more than a century at the end of last season.

But Spurs captain Van de Ven struck twice from set-pieces in the opening 45 minutes to place their impressive record at risk, and they were failed to turn it around before the midfielder - set up by former Toffees attacker the Brazilian - nodded in a final goal to put the game to bed.

Jake O'Brien thought he had levelled the tally five minutes after the defender's first goal, directing a bullet header past the Spurs keeper from an Everton corner.

Beto, in the meantime, failed to convert a number of chances, while the Italian goalkeeper made a series of fine stops to ensure the London club went five matches on the road unbeaten in the Premier League.

But the VAR stepped in, instructing the match official to check the goal on the pitchside monitor and the official ruled that the winger and Iliman Ndiaye were in offside positions and had interfered with the Spurs keeper.

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

Everton remain in 14th position and sit six points clear of the drop zone.

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

After a uninspiring weekday performance in the European competition against Monaco, where they managed a mere attempts on target, the manager chose the French striker in attack instead of ex-Everton forward the Brazilian.

The new arrival was failed to make much of an impact before being substituted for the substitute after 60 minutes on the field, but it emerged he wasn't needed in the end.

Centre-back Van de Ven 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 back across the face of goal for an free the defender to head home.

And the captain - filling in as captain in Cristian Romero's unavailability - added his second in first-half stoppage time as he rose above Jordan Pickford to head home.

The Dutchman was just as outstanding in defence, combining well with Kevin Danso as the duo handled excellently with the 34 crosses sent their way by the opposition.

Toffees breakdown: Everton missing striker's instinct

The club's recent stadium had been a fortress, but it seems the freshness may have faded slightly and supporters flocked to the exits after Sarr's third for Spurs.

The break in the team's unbeaten home run won't be a major worry for the manager, but their striker situation will be.

Beto and the other striker - the Toffees' pair of established strikers - had scored only one league goal between them before the weekend's match.

And they were failed to contribute to that poor tally on a wet and gloomy night on Merseyside.

The striker's performance was epitomized when he chose to overhead kick a golden opportunity from close range, even with having space and time to readjust for a simpler shot that would have challenged the keeper.

The substitute, too, was unable to influence the game after coming on for Beto in the second half.

It wasn't for a lack of chance. Most of Everton's offensive moves came through the winger and the forward, who relentlessly delivered threatening balls into the Tottenham penalty area.

What next for these two sides?

The Toffees: The team travel to the Stadium of Light in the top flight on Monday, 3 November at 8 PM.

Spurs: The London club travel to Newcastle's ground on Wednesday, 29 October for their next round League Cup tie against Newcastle.

Linda Bryant
Linda Bryant

A seasoned gaming analyst with over a decade of experience in online casino strategies and jackpot hunting across Europe.

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