Micky van de Ven Double Ends Everton's Unbeaten Streak at Brand New Home Ground

Micky van de Ven celebrating

The Dutch defender emerged as the first backline player to net twice in a Premier League match for Spurs since Jan Vertonghen in spring 2013.

Match summary

  • The Spurs defender nods home two times in first half

  • The home side's defender has goal ruled after video check

  • Senegalese midfielder nets third in 89th minute

  • The defeat is the Merseyside club's first at their new ground

Micky van de Ven found the net twice as Tottenham extended their unbeaten run on the road in the top division and handed the Toffees their first defeat at their new home.

Everton were unbeaten in their last five matches 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 the Dutchman pounced twice from set-pieces in the opening 45 minutes to put their strong form at jeopardy, and they were unable to turn it around before the midfielder - assisted by ex-Everton forward Richarlison - headed home a third to seal the victory.

The Everton defender believed he had levelled the scores a short while after the defender's first goal, glancing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an Everton corner.

Beto, meanwhile, failed to convert a number of opportunities, while Vicario made a succession of excellent saves to guarantee the London club went five away games without defeat in the English top flight.

But the video assistant referee intervened, instructing Craig Pawson to review the score on the pitchside monitor and the referee ruled that Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye were in an illegal position and had impeded with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

The win elevates Thomas Frank's team up to third in the Premier League, a handful of points off north London rivals and leaders Arsenal.

Everton stay 14th and are half a dozen points ahead of the drop zone.

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

Following a uninspiring midweek display in the European competition against Monaco, where they mustered a only attempts on goal, the manager chose Randal Kolo Muani in attack instead of former Toffees player the Brazilian.

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

Centre-back the Dutchman transformed into an attacking force to be feared.

Tottenham's first goal came from a well-worked set-piece play, with Rodrigo Bentancur directing the ball back across the face of goal for an unmarked Van de Ven to head home.

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

Van de Ven was just as impressive in defence, partnering well with his defensive colleague as the pair dealt superbly with the numerous deliveries thrown their way by the opposition.

Toffees breakdown: Everton lacking striker's instinct

Everton's new home had been a fortress, but it seems the freshness may have worn off somewhat and supporters headed to the gates after the midfielder's final goal for Tottenham.

The break in the team's unbeaten home run will not be a massive concern for the manager, but their attacking woes will be.

Beto and Thierno Barry - the Everton's pair of established strikers - had scored just a single goal between them before Sunday's match.

And they were unable to contribute to that miserable tally on a damp and dreary night on Merseyside.

The striker's form was summed up when he opted to overhead kick a clear chance from close range, despite having space and time to reposition for a more conventional attempt that would have challenged Vicario.

The substitute, too, was unable to make an impact after coming on for the starter in the second half.

It was not for a lack of chance. Most of the home side's attacks came through Grealish and Ndiaye, who tirelessly whipped dangerous crosses into the Spurs penalty area.

What next for these two sides?

The Toffees: Moyes' men travel to the Stadium of Light in the top flight on early November at 8 PM.

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

Donald Porter
Donald Porter

A seasoned sports analyst and betting strategist with over a decade of experience in professional wagering and casino gaming.

Popular Post