Micky van de Ven Brace Ends The Toffees' Unbeaten Streak at New Home Ground

Micky van de Ven celebrating

The Dutch defender became the first defender to score two goals in a Premier League game for Tottenham since Jan Vertonghen in March 2013.

At a glance

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

  • Everton's Jake O'Brien has equalizer disallowed after video check

  • Pape Matar Sarr scores third in 89th minute

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

The Tottenham defender found the net twice as Spurs prolonged their winning streak on the road in the Premier League and handed the Toffees their first defeat at their new home.

The Toffees were unbeaten in their last five matches at their new ground at the dockside location, having departed Goodison Park behind after more than a century at the conclusion of last season.

But Tottenham's leader the Dutchman pounced on two occasions from corners in the opening 45 minutes to place their strong form at jeopardy, and they were unable to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by former Toffees attacker the Brazilian - headed home a final goal to seal the victory.

Jake O'Brien believed he had equalized the scores a short while after the defender's first goal, glancing a bullet header past the Spurs keeper from an Everton corner.

The Portuguese striker, meanwhile, missed a handful of opportunities, while Vicario made a series of excellent stops to guarantee Tottenham went five matches on the road unbeaten in the English top flight.

But the VAR stepped in, instructing the match official to check the goal on the screen and the official decided that the winger and Iliman Ndiaye were in offside positions and had interfered with the Spurs keeper.

This victory moves Thomas Frank's side into third place in the division, a handful of points off local foes and table-toppers the Gunners.

Everton remain 14th and are six points ahead of the relegation zone.

Spurs breakdown: The defender excels in role at each end of the field

After a uninspiring midweek display in the Champions League against Monaco, where they mustered a mere attempts on goal, the manager opted for the French striker up front instead of former Toffees player the Brazilian.

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

Defender Van de Ven transformed into an attacking force to be reckoned with.

Spurs' first goal came from a well-worked set-piece play, with the midfielder directing the ball toward the face of goal for an unmarked the defender to score.

And the captain - filling in as skipper in the Argentine's unavailability - notched his next goal in added time as he outjumped Jordan Pickford to nod in.

The Dutchman was equally outstanding in defence, combining effectively with Kevin Danso as the pair handled excellently with the 34 crosses sent their way by the opposition.

Toffees breakdown: Toffees lacking finishing touch

The club's new home had been a fortress, but it seems the novelty may have worn off somewhat and fans flocked to the gates after the midfielder's final goal for Spurs.

The end in Everton's unbeaten home run will not be a major worry for David Moyes, but their attacking woes are.

Beto and Thierno Barry - the Everton's pair of recognised strikers - had netted just a single goal combined before Sunday's match.

And they were failed to contribute to that poor tally on a wet and gloomy evening on Merseyside.

The striker's performance was summed up when he chose to bicycle-kick a clear chance from close range, even with having room and time to readjust for a simpler attempt that would have challenged the keeper.

The substitute, as well, failed to influence the game after coming on for the starter in the 65th minute.

It wasn't for a shortage of opportunity. The majority of the home side's offensive moves came through Grealish and Ndiaye, who tirelessly delivered dangerous crosses into the Tottenham penalty area.

What next for these two sides?

Everton: The team travel to the Stadium of Light in the top flight on Monday, 3 November at 20:00 GMT.

Spurs: Spurs go to Newcastle's ground on late October for their fourth-round Carabao Cup tie against the Magpies.

Brooke Wright
Brooke Wright

Lena Visser is a seasoned journalist and storyteller based in Delft, passionate about uncovering hidden narratives.