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

Micky van de Ven celebrating

The Dutch defender emerged as 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 nods home two times in opening period

  • Everton's defender has equalizer disallowed after video check

  • Pape Matar Sarr nets third in dying moments

  • The defeat is Everton's initial at their new ground

The Tottenham defender found the net on two occasions as Spurs extended their unbeaten run on the road in the top division and handed Everton their initial loss at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The Toffees were unbeaten in their five previous fixtures at their new ground at the dockside location, having departed Goodison Park behind after 133 years at the conclusion of the previous campaign.

But Tottenham's leader the Dutchman pounced twice from corners in the opening 45 minutes to put their impressive record at risk, and they were unable to mount a comeback before Pape Matar Sarr - assisted by former Toffees attacker Richarlison - nodded in a third to seal the victory.

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

Beto, in the meantime, missed a number of opportunities, while Vicario made a series of fine saves to ensure the London club went five matches on the road without defeat in the Premier League.

But the video assistant referee stepped in, instructing the match official to review the score on the screen and the referee decided that Jack Grealish and the attacker were in an illegal position and had impeded with the Spurs keeper.

The win moves the manager's side into third place in the division, a handful of points off north London rivals and leaders Arsenal.

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

Spurs breakdown: The defender excels in duties at both ends of pitch

Following a drab midweek display in the European competition against Monaco, where they managed a only two shots on goal, Frank opted for Randal Kolo Muani up front instead of ex-Everton forward Richarlison.

The summer signing was unable to make much of an impact before being replaced for Richarlison after an hour on the pitch, but it emerged he proved unnecessary in the final outcome.

Centre-back the Dutchman transformed into an attacking force to be feared.

Tottenham's first goal came from a cleverly executed 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 captain in Cristian Romero's unavailability - notched his next goal in added time as he rose above the England keeper to nod in.

The Dutchman was equally outstanding in defence, partnering well with his defensive colleague as the pair dealt superbly with the 34 crosses sent their way by the opposition.

Toffees breakdown: Toffees missing striker's instinct

Everton's new home had been a fortress, but it appears the freshness may have worn off somewhat and fans flocked to the exits after the midfielder's third for Spurs.

The end in the team's unbeaten home run will not be a major worry for David Moyes, but their striker situation will be.

Beto and the other striker - the Toffees' two recognised centre-forwards - had netted just one league goal between them before Sunday's match.

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

The striker's form was summed up when he chose to overhead kick a clear chance from close range, even with having room and opportunity to reposition for a more conventional attempt that would have challenged Vicario.

Barry, too, was unable to influence the game after coming on for Beto in the 65th minute.

It was not for a lack of chance. Most of the home side's attacks came through Grealish and Ndiaye, who relentlessly delivered threatening crosses into the Tottenham penalty area.

What next for both teams?

Everton: Moyes' men head to the Stadium of Light in the top flight on early November at 20:00 GMT.

Spurs: The London club travel to St James' Park on Wednesday, 29 October for their fourth-round League Cup match against the Magpies.

Mark Bond
Mark Bond

A London-based arts journalist with a passion for uncovering emerging creative talents and cultural movements across the UK.