Micky van de Ven Brace Ends Everton's Run at Brand New Home Ground

Micky van de Ven celebrating

Micky van de Ven became the initial backline player to score twice in a Premier League match for Spurs since the Belgian defender in March 2013.

Key points

  • The Spurs defender heads into the net two times in opening period

  • Everton's Jake O'Brien has goal ruled after video check

  • Pape Matar Sarr scores third in 89th minute

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

Micky van de Ven found the net twice as Spurs extended their unbeaten run on the road in the Premier League and handed the Toffees their initial loss at their new home.

The Toffees were undefeated in their last five matches at their recently opened stadium at the dockside location, having left Goodison Park behind after more than a century at the conclusion of last season.

But Spurs captain the Dutchman pounced twice from set-pieces in the opening 45 minutes to put their impressive record at jeopardy, and they were unable to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by ex-Everton forward Richarlison - headed home a third to put the game to bed.

The Everton defender believed he had levelled the scores five minutes after the defender's opener, glancing 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, advising the match official to review the goal on the pitchside monitor and the official decided that the winger and Iliman Ndiaye were in offside positions and had interfered with the Spurs keeper.

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

Everton remain 14th and sit half a dozen points clear of the drop zone.

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

After a drab weekday performance in the Champions League against the French side, where they managed a only attempts on goal, the manager chose Randal Kolo Muani in attack instead of ex-Everton forward Richarlison.

The summer signing was failed to influence the game before being replaced for Richarlison after an hour on the pitch, but it turns out he proved unnecessary in the end.

Defender the Dutchman transformed into an attacking force to be reckoned with.

Tottenham's opening strike came from a well-worked set-piece play, with the midfielder heading the ball back across the six-yard box for an free Van de Ven to score.

And Ven de Ven - filling in as skipper in the Argentine's absence - added his second in added time as he outjumped Jordan Pickford to head home.

The Dutchman was equally outstanding in defence, combining well with Kevin Danso as the pair dealt superbly with the 34 crosses sent their way by Everton.

Toffees breakdown: Everton missing striker's instinct

Everton's new home had been a happy hunting ground, but it appears the novelty may have faded somewhat and supporters flocked to the gates after Sarr's final goal for Spurs.

The end in Everton's unbeaten home run will not be a major concern for the manager, but their attacking woes are.

The forward and the other striker - the Everton's two established strikers - had netted just one league goal combined before the weekend's outing.

And they were failed to add to that miserable record on a wet and gloomy night on Merseyside.

The striker's performance was summed up when he chose to overhead kick a golden opportunity from near the goal, even with having space and opportunity to reposition for a simpler attempt that would have tested Vicario.

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

It wasn't for a lack of opportunity. The majority of Everton's offensive moves came through the winger and the forward, who tirelessly whipped threatening balls into the Tottenham penalty area.

What next for these two sides?

Everton: Moyes' men head 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 fourth-round League Cup match against the Magpies.

Sheila Whitaker
Sheila Whitaker

A seasoned gaming journalist with over a decade of experience covering UK casinos and slot machines, passionate about industry trends.