Van de Ven Double Halts The Toffees' Unbeaten Streak at Brand New Stadium

Micky van de Ven celebrating

Micky van de Ven became the initial backline player to net two goals in a English top-flight match for Tottenham since the Belgian defender in spring 2013.

At a glance

  • Micky Van de Ven nods into the net twice in opening period

  • Everton's defender has equalizer disallowed after video check

  • Pape Matar Sarr nets final goal in 89th minute

  • This loss is Everton's initial at their new ground

Micky van de Ven scored on two occasions as Spurs prolonged their unbeaten run in away games in the Premier League and handed Everton their initial loss at their new home.

Everton were unbeaten in their five previous fixtures at their new ground at Bramley-Moore Dock, having left Goodison Park behind after 133 years at the end of last season.

But Tottenham's leader Van de Ven pounced twice from corners in the opening 45 minutes to put their strong form at jeopardy, and they were failed to turn it around before the midfielder - assisted by former Toffees attacker the Brazilian - nodded in a final goal to put the game to bed.

Jake O'Brien believed he had levelled the tally a short while after the defender's opener, glancing a powerful header past the Spurs keeper from an Everton corner.

The Portuguese striker, in the meantime, failed to convert a handful of opportunities, while the Italian goalkeeper made a succession of excellent stops to ensure the London club went five away games unbeaten in the Premier League.

But the video assistant referee intervened, advising Craig Pawson to check the goal on the pitchside monitor and the referee decided that Jack Grealish and the attacker were in an illegal position and had interfered with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

The win moves the manager's side into third place in the division, a handful of points off local foes and leaders the Gunners.

Everton remain in 14th position and are half a dozen points clear of the relegation zone.

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

Following a uninspiring midweek display in the European competition against the French side, where they managed a only two shots on goal, the manager opted for Randal Kolo Muani in attack 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 proved unnecessary in the final outcome.

Defender the Dutchman converted into an offensive threat to be feared.

Spurs' opening strike came from a well-worked corner routine, with Rodrigo Bentancur directing the ball back across the face of goal for an unmarked the defender to head home.

And the captain - filling in as captain in Cristian Romero's absence - notched his next goal in first-half stoppage time as he rose above the England keeper to nod in.

Van de Ven was equally outstanding in defensive duties, partnering well with his defensive colleague as the pair dealt excellently with the 34 crosses thrown their way by the opposition.

Everton analysis: Toffees lacking striker's instinct

The club's recent stadium had been a happy hunting ground, but it appears the freshness may have worn off somewhat and supporters headed to the gates after the midfielder's final goal for Spurs.

The end in the team's winning streak at home will not be a massive worry for David Moyes, but their attacking woes will be.

Beto and Thierno Barry - the Everton's two established centre-forwards - had scored only one league goal combined before Sunday's outing.

And they were failed to contribute to that miserable tally on a damp and dreary night on Merseyside.

The striker's performance was epitomized when he chose to bicycle-kick a clear chance from near the goal, even with having space and opportunity to reposition for a simpler attempt that would have challenged Vicario.

Barry, too, was unable to make an impact after replacing the starter in the second half.

It was not for a shortage of opportunity. Most of the home side's attacks came through Grealish and the forward, who relentlessly delivered threatening balls into the Spurs penalty area.

What next for both teams?

The Toffees: Moyes' men travel to the Stadium of Light in the Premier League on early November at 20:00 GMT.

Spurs: Spurs travel to St James' Park on late October for their next round Carabao Cup match against the Magpies.

Karl Miller
Karl Miller

Elara Vance is a professional blackjack strategist with over a decade of experience in casino gaming and strategy development.