Van de Ven Nets Brace to Defeat Everton and Boost Spurs to Third
Micky van de Ven scored a brace as Tottenham secured a 3-0 victory over Everton, propelling them to third in the Premier League and halting the Toffees unbeaten run at their new home on Sunday.
Under Thomas Frank, the team continued their strong away performances with the Dutch defenders first half goals and a late header from Pape Sarr.
Everton had not lost in their initial five matches across all competitions at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, the impressive new venue they shifted to from Goodison Park during the summer break.
However, a Tottenham side plagued by injuries broke that perfect record, marking only their second league triumph in the past five outings.
Although Tottenham have struggled at home throughout 2025, they lead the league in away points this term.
That success failed to appease supporters who jeered the team following a dull 0-0 stalemate against Monaco in the Champions League midweek.
The away fans from Tottenham were far more upbeat on Merseyside following a gritty win amid heavy downpours.
Differing from his predecessor at Tottenham, Ange Postecoglou, Frank emphasises structure and proficiency from set pieces rather than flair in attack.
The Danish managers straightforward approach may clash with Tottenhams motto of to dare is to do, yet his achievements this season represent a significant step up from the sides 17th position under Postecoglou last year.
Tottenham trail Premier League frontrunners Arsenal by five points and have begun their Champions League journey on a firm footing.
Jack Grealish returned for Everton after being ineligible to face his parent club Manchester City in the previous loss.
Set up by a cross from Iliman Ndiaye, Grealish missed a chance to open the scoring in the fourth minute as his effort from close range was cleared off the line by Pedro Porro.
Unexpected Star
Tottenham took the lead with their opening effort in the 19th minute.
Rodrigo Bentancur headed Mohammed Kudus corner back into the six yard box, allowing Van de Ven to nod home from near point blank.
James Garner came close to levelling immediately with a curling shot from 25 yards that drew an excellent stop from Guglielmo Vicario.
Jake O Brien believed he had equalised for Everton via a header from Kiernan Dewsbury Halls corner.
Yet VAR ruled it out for offside involving Grealish and Ndiaye, who lingered near Vicario on the goal line.
Bentancur nearly added to Evertons frustration with a swerving effort from the boxes edge that sailed just over.
Van de Ven cleared Ndiayes cross under pressure from Beto right before the interval.
Beyond his solid defending, the centre back surprisingly delivered Tottenhams attacking threat by making it 2-0 deep into added time of the first half.
Jordan Pickford failed to claim Pedro Porros curling corner, and Van de Ven converted with a deft header.
Beto produced an acrobatic overhead kick soon after the restart, prompting a brilliant save from Vicario.
Introduced as a substitute for Randal Kolo Muani in the second period, Richarlison squandered a prime opportunity against his former team by firing directly at Pickford from 10 yards.
Vicario pulled off another key intervention to thwart Ndiaye, prior to Sarr sealing the win in the 89th minute.
After Richarlison headed the ball towards him, the Senegalese midfielder nodded in from close proximity.