Micky van de Ven Double Halts The Toffees' Unbeaten Streak at Brand New Home Ground

Micky van de Ven celebrating

Micky van de Ven emerged as the first backline player to net two goals in a English top-flight game for Tottenham since Jan Vertonghen in spring 2013.

Key points

  • Micky Van de Ven nods home twice in opening period

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

  • Pape Matar Sarr scores third in dying moments

  • This loss is the Merseyside club's first at their new ground

Micky van de Ven scored twice as Tottenham 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 unbeaten in their five previous fixtures at their new ground at Bramley-Moore Dock, having left their historic home behind after 133 years at the conclusion of the previous campaign.

But Tottenham's leader Van de Ven struck on two occasions from corners in the first half to put their strong form at jeopardy, and they were failed to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by former Toffees attacker Richarlison - nodded in a final goal to put the game to bed.

The Everton defender believed he had equalized the tally a short while after the defender's first goal, directing a powerful header past Guglielmo Vicario from an Everton corner.

The Portuguese striker, meanwhile, missed a handful of opportunities, while the Italian goalkeeper made a series of excellent stops to ensure Tottenham went five away games unbeaten in the English top flight.

But the VAR intervened, instructing Craig Pawson to review the goal on the screen and the referee ruled that the winger and Iliman Ndiaye were in an illegal position and had interfered with the Spurs keeper.

This victory moves Thomas Frank's team up to third in the division, a handful of points off north London rivals and leaders Arsenal.

The Merseyside club stay 14th and sit half a dozen points ahead of the relegation zone.

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

After a uninspiring weekday performance in the European competition against Monaco, where they mustered a only two shots on goal, Frank chose Randal Kolo Muani in attack instead of ex-Everton forward Richarlison.

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

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

Spurs' first goal came from a well-worked corner routine, with Rodrigo Bentancur heading the ball toward the six-yard box for an free Van de Ven to head home.

And the captain - filling in as skipper in the Argentine's absence - notched his next goal in first-half stoppage time as he outjumped the England keeper to head home.

Van de Ven was equally impressive in defensive duties, combining well with his defensive colleague as the duo handled excellently with the 34 crosses sent their way by the opposition.

Everton analysis: Everton missing finishing touch

The club's new home had been a fortress, but it appears the freshness may have worn off somewhat and supporters flocked to the gates after Sarr's final goal for Spurs.

The end in the team's winning streak at home will not be a massive concern for the manager, but their attacking woes will be.

Beto and Thierno Barry - the Toffees' two recognised strikers - had netted only a single goal between them before the weekend's outing.

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

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

Barry, too, failed to make an impact after replacing the starter in the 65th minute.

It wasn't for a shortage of chance. Most of the home side's offensive moves came through the winger and Ndiaye, who tirelessly whipped threatening crosses into the Tottenham penalty area.

Upcoming fixtures for these two sides?

The Toffees: Moyes' men head to the Stadium of Light in the Premier League on early November at 8 PM.

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

Michael Lin
Michael Lin

Sofia van den Berg is a seasoned business strategist with over a decade of experience in digital transformation and innovation.

Popular Post