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

Micky van de Ven celebrating

Micky van de Ven became the first backline player to score twice in a Premier League match for Tottenham since Jan Vertonghen in spring 2013.

At a glance

  • Micky Van de Ven nods into the net two times in opening period

  • The home side's Jake O'Brien has goal disallowed after VAR review

  • Senegalese midfielder nets third in dying moments

  • The defeat is the Merseyside club's initial at Hill Dickinson Stadium

The Tottenham defender found the net on two occasions as Tottenham prolonged their winning streak on the road in the top division and delivered Everton their initial loss at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The Toffees were undefeated in their last five matches at their recently opened stadium at the dockside location, having left Goodison Park behind after 133 years at the conclusion of last season.

But Spurs captain Van de Ven struck on two occasions from corners in the first half to put their strong form at risk, and they were failed to mount a comeback before the midfielder - assisted by former Toffees attacker Richarlison - headed home a third to seal the victory.

The Everton defender believed he had levelled the scores a short while after Van de Ven's opener, glancing a powerful header past Guglielmo Vicario from an Everton corner.

The Portuguese striker, meanwhile, missed a handful of chances, while Vicario made a succession of excellent stops to guarantee the London club went five matches on the road without defeat in the Premier League.

But the video assistant referee intervened, advising Craig Pawson to check the score on the screen and the referee ruled that Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye were in offside positions and had interfered with the Spurs keeper.

This victory moves the manager's team up to third in the Premier League, a handful of points off local foes and leaders the Gunners.

Everton remain in 14th position and sit six points clear of the drop zone.

Spurs breakdown: Van de Ven fulfils duties at both ends of the field

Following a drab midweek performance in the Champions League against the French side, where they mustered a mere two shots on goal, Frank chose the French striker up front instead of former Toffees player Richarlison.

The summer signing was failed to make much of an impact before being substituted for the substitute after 60 minutes on the pitch, but it turns out he proved unnecessary in the final outcome.

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

Spurs' first goal came from a cleverly executed set-piece play, with the midfielder heading the ball toward the six-yard box for an free Van de Ven to score.

And Ven de Ven - stepping up as skipper in the Argentine's unavailability - notched his next goal in first-half stoppage time as he rose above Jordan Pickford to nod in.

The Dutchman was just as outstanding in defence, partnering well with Kevin Danso as the pair dealt superbly with the 34 crosses sent their way by the opposition.

Toffees breakdown: Toffees missing finishing touch

Everton's recent stadium had been a happy hunting ground, but it seems the freshness may have faded somewhat and supporters headed to the exits after Sarr's third for Spurs.

The end in Everton's winning streak at home will not be a major worry for the manager, but their striker situation are.

Beto and Thierno Barry - the Toffees' two recognised centre-forwards - had scored only a single goal combined before Sunday's match.

And they were failed to contribute to that poor record on a damp and dreary night on in Liverpool.

Beto's performance was summed up when he opted to overhead kick a golden opportunity from near the goal, despite having space and time to readjust for a more conventional attempt that would have tested Vicario.

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

It was not for a shortage of opportunity. The majority of Everton's offensive moves came through Grealish and Ndiaye, who tirelessly delivered threatening balls into the Spurs box.

What next for these two sides?

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

Spurs: The London club travel to Newcastle's ground on late October for their fourth-round Carabao Cup match against Newcastle.

Mary Mcguire
Mary Mcguire

Mikael Voss is a seasoned gambling analyst with over a decade of experience in online casinos, specializing in slot game reviews and betting strategies.