Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
captain mickey van de ven Leading from the front with two headers handed Everton their first defeat at their new stadium, as Tottenham moved up to third with a 3–0 win.
David Moyes’ side conceded no league goals from corners in the first half, while the visitors benefited first from a good set-piece routine and then from poor marking.
spurs boss Thomas Frank handed over on loan Paris Saint Germain striker Radican Creation It was his first start, but Van de Ven posed the greatest threat with his double making him the team’s top scorer with five, having failed to score at all the previous season.
Those goals – plus another late header from Pep Sarr – secured 13 points from a possible 15 on the road, which has set the stage for their rise to within five points of leaders and north London rivals Arsenal.
It was a strange performance from Tottenham as they went into their shells after taking the lead in the 19th minute and hardly thought they would threaten again until their captain struck once again in first-half extra time.
But while Spurs made the most of their chances, the home side did not, despite plenty of creativity on both wings from Iliman Ndiaye, their best player, and the returning Jack Grealish.
Both players found themselves facing two opponents whenever they received the ball and although Ndiaye was caught behind a few times due to his pace, there was little chance of danger through the middle.
The closest they came was when striker Beto miscontrolled Grealish’s cross from Ndiyaye, whose goalbound shot was almost stopped on the line by Pedro Porro in just the third minute.
A team that has scored nine league goals this season needs those chances and when they don’t happen it becomes even more difficult to win games.
They uncharacteristically came undone at a corner when Mohamed Qudus’ cross to the far post was deflected back towards goal by Rodrigo Bentancur’s shoulder and Van de Ven nodded in from close range.
everton proceeded to dominate and were denied an equalizer when Jake O’Brien’s near-post header was ruled out by VAR after VAR suggested Ndiaye and Grealish, both sandwiching Guglielmo Vicario in offside positions, were interfering with the goalkeeper and referee Craig Pawson agreed after reviewing the footage.
Despite scoring little from open play, Spurs looked dangerous from set-pieces and after Bentancur headed in a corner, Van de Ven made no mistake with the second after finding himself unmarked between Everton’s two centre-backs.
Everton conceded as many goals in 52 minutes – after seven extra goals – as they had conceded in their previous five games at the Hill Dickinson Stadium and their goalscoring record suggests the game was as good as it got.
Ndiaye did his best not to make it a formality, firing a shot wide and bending another deflected effort around a post either side of the crossing only for Beto’s overhead kick to be kept out by the impressive Vicario.
Jordan Pickford saved well from former Everton forward Richarlison, for Kolo Muani, in a rare Spurs attack, but now facing an attack led by 23-year-old Thiarno Barry – yet to open his account since a £27 million move from Villarreal – scoring further goals was not a concern for the visitors.
But after being troubled by Richardson in the 89th minute, Sarr accelerated to clear the seats by nodding home.