Micky van de Ven Double Halts Everton's Unbeaten Streak at New Home Ground

Micky van de Ven celebrating

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

At a glance

  • The Spurs defender nods home two times in first half

  • The home side's Jake O'Brien has goal disallowed after video check

  • Pape Matar Sarr scores final goal in dying moments

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

Micky van de Ven found the net on two occasions as Tottenham extended their unbeaten run on the road in the top division and handed the Toffees their initial loss at their new home.

The Toffees were unbeaten in their last five matches at their recently opened stadium at the dockside location, having departed their historic home behind after 133 years at the end of the previous campaign.

But Tottenham's leader Van de Ven struck twice from corners in the first half to put their strong form at risk, and they were failed to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - assisted by ex-Everton forward Richarlison - nodded in a third to seal the victory.

Jake O'Brien believed he had levelled the scores a short while after Van de Ven's first goal, glancing a powerful header past the Spurs keeper from an Everton corner.

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

But the VAR stepped in, instructing the match official to review the goal on the screen and the official decided that Jack Grealish and the attacker were in offside positions and had interfered with the Spurs keeper.

The win elevates the manager's side up to third in the Premier League, five points off north London rivals and table-toppers Arsenal.

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

Spurs breakdown: Van de Ven fulfils role at both ends of pitch

After a uninspiring midweek performance in the Champions League against Monaco, where they mustered a mere attempts on target, the manager opted for the French striker in attack instead of ex-Everton forward Richarlison.

The new arrival was failed to influence the game before being replaced for the substitute after 60 minutes on the field, but it emerged he wasn't needed in the final outcome.

Centre-back Van de Ven converted into an offensive threat to be feared.

Tottenham's first goal came from a well-worked corner routine, with Rodrigo Bentancur directing the ball toward the six-yard box for an unmarked the defender to score.

And Ven de Ven - filling in as skipper in the Argentine's unavailability - notched 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, partnering effectively with Kevin Danso as the pair dealt excellently with the numerous deliveries thrown their way by the opposition.

Everton analysis: Toffees missing finishing touch

The club's recent stadium had been a happy hunting ground, but it seems the freshness may have worn off somewhat and fans flocked to the exits after the midfielder's final goal for Spurs.

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

The forward and the other striker - the Toffees' two recognised centre-forwards - had scored only one league goal between them before Sunday's outing.

And they were unable to add to that poor record on a damp and dreary evening on in Liverpool.

Beto's form was summed up when he chose to overhead kick a clear chance from close range, despite having room and opportunity to reposition for a simpler attempt that would have challenged the keeper.

The substitute, too, failed to influence the game after replacing the starter in the second half.

It was not for a shortage of opportunity. Most of Everton's offensive moves came through the winger and the forward, who relentlessly delivered threatening balls into the Spurs 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.

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

Rhonda Anderson
Rhonda Anderson

A seasoned gambling analyst with over a decade of experience in reviewing online casinos and developing strategic gaming approaches.