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

Micky van de Ven celebrating

Micky van de Ven became the first defender to score two goals in a Premier League game for Spurs since Jan Vertonghen in March 2013.

At a glance

  • Micky Van de Ven heads home twice in first half

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

  • Pape Matar Sarr scores third in 89th minute

  • The defeat is Everton's first at Hill Dickinson Stadium

Micky van de Ven scored twice as Tottenham extended their winning streak in away games in the top division and delivered Everton their initial loss at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton were undefeated 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 conclusion of last season.

But Tottenham's leader the Dutchman pounced twice from set-pieces in the opening 45 minutes to put their strong form at risk, and they were failed to turn it around before the midfielder - assisted by former Toffees attacker the Brazilian - nodded in a third to seal the victory.

Jake O'Brien believed he had levelled the tally a short while after Van de Ven's opener, directing a powerful header past Guglielmo Vicario from an Everton corner.

The Portuguese striker, in the meantime, failed to convert a number of opportunities, while the Italian goalkeeper made a succession of fine saves to guarantee Tottenham went five away games without defeat in the Premier League.

But the VAR stepped in, instructing Craig Pawson to review the score on the pitchside monitor and the referee decided that Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye were in offside positions and had interfered with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

The win elevates the manager's team into third place in the Premier League, a handful of points off local foes and table-toppers the Gunners.

Everton stay 14th and sit six points clear of the relegation zone.

Tottenham analysis: The defender excels in duties at both ends of the field

Following a drab weekday display in the Champions League against the French side, where they mustered a only attempts on target, the manager opted for Randal Kolo Muani in attack instead of ex-Everton forward Richarlison.

The new arrival was unable to influence the game before being replaced for Richarlison after 60 minutes on the field, but it emerged he proved unnecessary in the end.

Centre-back Van de Ven converted into an attacking force to be feared.

Tottenham's first goal came from a cleverly executed set-piece play, with the midfielder heading the ball back across the face of goal for an unmarked Van de Ven to head home.

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

Van de Ven was equally outstanding in defensive duties, combining well with Kevin Danso as the duo handled superbly with the 34 crosses thrown their way by Everton.

Toffees breakdown: Toffees missing striker's instinct

Everton's new home had been a fortress, but it appears the freshness may have faded slightly and supporters flocked to the exits after Sarr's final goal for Tottenham.

The break in the team's unbeaten home run won't be a massive concern for David Moyes, but their striker situation are.

The forward and Thierno Barry - the Everton's pair of recognised strikers - had scored just a single goal between them before Sunday's outing.

And they were unable to contribute to that miserable tally on a damp and dreary night on in Liverpool.

Beto's performance was epitomized when he chose to overhead kick a golden opportunity from near the goal, despite having room and opportunity to readjust for a simpler shot that would have challenged Vicario.

The substitute, as well, failed to make an impact after replacing Beto in the second half.

It wasn't for a lack of chance. Most of the home side's offensive moves came through Grealish and Ndiaye, who relentlessly whipped threatening crosses into the Tottenham penalty area.

What next for these two sides?

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

Spurs: The London club travel to St James' Park on Wednesday, 29 October for their next round Carabao Cup tie against the Magpies.

Holly Rich
Holly Rich

A seasoned casino analyst with over a decade of experience in slot machine mechanics and gambling strategy development.