Van de Ven Brace Ends Everton's Unbeaten Streak at New Home Ground

Micky van de Ven celebrating

The Dutch defender became the first backline player to score twice in a Premier League match for Tottenham since Jan Vertonghen in March 2013.

At a glance

  • The Spurs defender heads into the net twice in first half

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

  • Senegalese midfielder nets final goal in 89th minute

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

The Tottenham defender found the net on two occasions as Tottenham prolonged their winning streak on the road in the top division and handed the Toffees their first defeat at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton 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 the previous campaign.

But Spurs captain the Dutchman struck twice from set-pieces in the opening 45 minutes to place 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 seal the victory.

The Everton defender believed he had levelled the scores five minutes after Van de Ven's first goal, glancing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an set-piece.

The Portuguese striker, in the meantime, failed to convert a number of chances, while the Italian goalkeeper made a series of excellent saves to ensure Tottenham went five matches on the road without defeat in the Premier League.

But the VAR intervened, advising Craig Pawson to review the score on the screen and the referee decided that Jack Grealish and the attacker were in an illegal position and had impeded with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

The win moves Thomas Frank's team into third place in the division, five points off north London rivals and table-toppers Arsenal.

The Merseyside club stay in 14th position and are six points ahead of the relegation zone.

Tottenham analysis: Van de Ven excels in role at each end of pitch

After a drab midweek performance in the European competition against the French side, where they mustered a only attempts on goal, Frank chose Randal Kolo Muani in attack instead of former Toffees player the Brazilian.

The new arrival was failed 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 the Dutchman converted into an attacking force to be feared.

Spurs' first goal came from a well-worked set-piece play, with the midfielder heading the ball toward the six-yard box for an unmarked the defender to head home.

And the captain - stepping up as skipper in the Argentine's unavailability - notched his second in added time as he outjumped the England keeper to nod in.

The Dutchman was equally outstanding in defence, partnering well with Kevin Danso as the duo handled superbly with the 34 crosses thrown their way by Everton.

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 fans flocked to the gates after the midfielder's third for Spurs.

The break in Everton's winning streak at home won't be a major worry for the manager, but their striker situation are.

The forward and the other striker - the Toffees' pair of established centre-forwards - had netted just one league goal combined before the weekend's match.

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

The striker's performance was summed up when he opted to bicycle-kick a clear chance from close range, despite having space and opportunity to readjust for a simpler attempt that would have tested Vicario.

The substitute, as well, was unable to make an impact after replacing Beto in the second half.

It was not for a shortage of opportunity. The majority of the home side's attacks came through Grealish and Ndiaye, who relentlessly delivered threatening crosses into the Spurs penalty area.

Upcoming fixtures for both teams?

Everton: The team head to Sunderland in the top flight on early November at 8 PM.

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

Timothy Sanchez
Timothy Sanchez

A passionate gaming enthusiast with over a decade of experience in online slots, sharing insights and strategies to help players succeed.

Popular Post