Micky van de Ven Double Halts The Toffees' Run at Brand New Stadium

Micky van de Ven celebrating

The Dutch defender emerged as the initial defender to net twice in a English top-flight match for Tottenham since Jan Vertonghen in spring 2013.

At a glance

  • Micky Van de Ven heads home two times in first half

  • Everton's Jake O'Brien has equalizer disallowed after video check

  • Senegalese midfielder scores final goal in dying moments

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

Micky van de Ven scored on two occasions as Spurs extended their winning streak in away games in the top division and delivered Everton their first defeat at their new home.

The Toffees 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 last season.

But Tottenham's leader the Dutchman struck twice from set-pieces in the first half to put their impressive record at risk, and they were unable to mount a comeback before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by former Toffees attacker the Brazilian - headed home a third to seal the victory.

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

The Portuguese striker, in the meantime, missed a handful of opportunities, while the Italian goalkeeper made a succession of excellent saves to guarantee Tottenham went five away games without defeat in the Premier League.

But the VAR stepped in, instructing the match official to check the score on the pitchside monitor and the official ruled that the winger and Iliman Ndiaye were in an illegal position and had impeded with the Spurs keeper.

The win elevates Thomas Frank's side into third place in the Premier League, a handful of points off north London rivals and leaders the Gunners.

Everton stay 14th and sit six points ahead of the drop zone.

Spurs breakdown: Van de Ven excels in duties at each end of pitch

Following a drab weekday performance in the Champions League against Monaco, where they managed a only two shots on target, the manager chose the French striker up front instead of ex-Everton forward the Brazilian.

The summer signing was failed to influence the game before being replaced for the substitute after 60 minutes on the field, but it emerged he wasn't needed in the final outcome.

Centre-back Van de Ven converted into an attacking force to be feared.

Tottenham's first goal came from a well-worked set-piece play, with Rodrigo Bentancur heading the ball toward the six-yard box for an free the defender to score.

And Ven de Ven - filling in as skipper in the Argentine's absence - added his second in added time as he outjumped Jordan Pickford to nod in.

Van de Ven was just as outstanding in defensive duties, partnering well with his defensive colleague as the duo dealt excellently with the 34 crosses thrown their way by the opposition.

Toffees breakdown: Toffees lacking finishing touch

The club's new home had been a fortress, but it seems the freshness may have worn off somewhat and fans flocked to the exits after the midfielder's third for Spurs.

The end in the team's winning streak at home won't be a major worry for the manager, but their striker situation will be.

Beto and the other striker - the Toffees' pair of recognised centre-forwards - had scored just a single goal between them before the weekend's outing.

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

Beto's form was epitomized when he chose to overhead kick a clear chance from near the goal, despite having room and time to readjust for a more conventional shot that would have challenged the keeper.

Barry, too, failed to make an impact after replacing Beto in the second half.

It wasn't for a shortage of opportunity. Most of the home side's attacks came through the winger and Ndiaye, who tirelessly delivered threatening balls into the Tottenham penalty area.

Upcoming fixtures for these two sides?

The Toffees: The team travel to Sunderland in the Premier League on early November at 8 PM.

Spurs: The London club go to St James' Park on late October for their next round Carabao Cup match against Newcastle.

Frank Shannon
Frank Shannon

Tech enthusiast and digital lifestyle writer with a passion for reviewing gadgets and sharing innovative tech solutions.

March 2026 Blog Roll

November 2025 Blog Roll

Popular Post