Micky van de Ven Double Ends The Toffees' Run at New Home Ground

Micky van de Ven celebrating

Micky van de Ven emerged as the first backline player to score twice in a Premier League game for Tottenham since the Belgian defender in March 2013.

Match summary

  • The Spurs defender nods into the net twice in opening period

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

  • Senegalese midfielder scores final goal in dying moments

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

Micky van de Ven scored twice as Tottenham prolonged their winning streak in away games in the top division and handed the Toffees their first defeat at their new home.

Everton were unbeaten in their five previous fixtures at their recently opened stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, having departed their historic home behind after 133 years at the conclusion of the previous campaign.

But Tottenham's leader the Dutchman pounced twice from corners in the first half to place their strong form at jeopardy, and they were unable to mount a comeback before the midfielder - assisted by ex-Everton forward the Brazilian - headed home a third to seal the victory.

The Everton defender thought he had equalized the scores a short while after the defender's opener, directing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an set-piece.

Beto, in the meantime, missed a handful of chances, while the Italian goalkeeper made a series of fine stops to ensure Tottenham went five away games without defeat in the English top flight.

But the VAR intervened, instructing Craig Pawson to check the score on the pitchside monitor and the referee ruled that the winger and the attacker were in offside positions and had impeded with the Spurs keeper.

This victory elevates Thomas Frank's side into third place in the division, five points off local foes and table-toppers Arsenal.

The Merseyside club remain in 14th position and are half a dozen points ahead of the relegation zone.

Tottenham analysis: Van de Ven excels in role at both ends of pitch

Following a uninspiring weekday performance in the European competition against Monaco, where they mustered a only two shots on target, the manager opted for the French striker up front instead of ex-Everton forward the Brazilian.

The summer signing was unable to influence the game before being substituted for the substitute after 60 minutes on the pitch, but it emerged he proved unnecessary in the end.

Defender the Dutchman transformed into an offensive threat to be feared.

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

And the captain - filling in as skipper in the Argentine's unavailability - notched his second in added time as he rose above Jordan Pickford to nod in.

The Dutchman was just as impressive in defensive duties, combining well with Kevin Danso as the pair handled superbly with the 34 crosses thrown their way by the opposition.

Everton analysis: Toffees lacking finishing touch

The club's recent stadium had been a happy hunting ground, but it appears the novelty may have faded somewhat and supporters headed to the gates after the midfielder's final goal for Spurs.

The break in Everton's winning streak at home won't be a massive worry for the manager, but their attacking woes are.

The forward and Thierno Barry - the Toffees' pair of established strikers - had netted only one league goal combined before the weekend's outing.

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

Beto's form was epitomized when he opted to bicycle-kick a golden opportunity from near the goal, despite having space and opportunity to reposition for a more conventional attempt that would have challenged Vicario.

Barry, too, was unable to make an impact after coming on for Beto in the 65th minute.

It wasn't for a shortage of opportunity. The majority of the home side's offensive moves came through the winger and the forward, who relentlessly delivered threatening balls into the Tottenham penalty area.

What next for both teams?

The Toffees: The team head to Sunderland in the top flight on early November at 20:00 GMT.

Tottenham: Spurs go to Newcastle's ground on late October for their next round Carabao Cup match against the Magpies.

Kristina Harrington
Kristina Harrington

A technology journalist and digital strategist with over a decade of experience covering emerging tech trends and innovations.