Micky Van de Ven Double Sinks Everton as Tottenham Hotspur Soar to Third in Premier League
Tottenham Hotspur climbed to third place in the Premier League table after a commanding 3–0 victory over Everton on a rain-soaked Sunday afternoon. Dutch defender Micky van de Ven was the star of the show, scoring twice in the first half before Pape Sarr added a late header to seal the win. The result ended Everton’s unbeaten home run at their new Hill Dickinson Stadium, dealing a harsh reality check to Sean Dyche’s side in their debut season at the state-of-the-art venue.
Tottenham Silence Everton’s New Fortress
Everton had been unbeaten in their first five matches across all competitions since moving from Goodison Park, enjoying a fine start to life at their new home. However, that momentum was abruptly halted by a disciplined and clinical Tottenham performance.
Despite suffering from a spate of injuries and inconsistency in recent weeks, this was Tottenham’s second win in their last five league games—and perhaps their most convincing of the campaign so far.
“It’s crazy. I never score two goals in one game. It’s an unbelievable feeling,” said Van de Ven after the match, beaming with delight as he collected the Man of the Match award.
Frank’s Tactical Blueprint Paying Off
Manager Thomas Frank, who replaced Ange Postecoglou after a turbulent previous season, has instilled a very different identity at Spurs. While Postecoglou’s tenure was defined by high-risk attacking football, Frank has focused on structure, set-piece precision, and defensive solidity—principles that have quickly brought results.
“The philosophy is simple: organisation first,” Frank explained after the match. “Set-pieces are crucial in the modern game. Arsenal are top of the table thanks in part to their set-piece strength. We’ve been working hard on that, and Micky’s goals are the reward.”
The Danish coach’s pragmatic approach might not always thrill the purists, but the improvement is undeniable. Tottenham, who finished a disappointing 17th last season, now sit just five points behind leaders Arsenal and boast the best away record in the league.
From Monaco Frustration to Merseyside Joy
Tottenham’s travelling fans had endured frustration in midweek when they watched a goalless draw against Monaco in the Champions League, a match that ended in boos from the away section. But spirits were revived at Merseyside as the supporters celebrated a gritty yet effective win in torrential conditions.
“Any away win in the Premier League is impressive—let alone 3–0,” said Frank. “We controlled possession well in the first half and showed real resilience in the second. The season is still young, but we’re building a clean-sheet mentality, and that wins you points.”
Everton Miss Early Chances Before Spurs Take Control
Everton started brightly, nearly taking the lead in the fourth minute. On-loan winger Jack Grealish, returning to the side after being ineligible against his parent club Manchester City, latched onto Iliman Ndiaye’s cross but saw his close-range effort blocked heroically on the line by Pedro Porro.
That missed opportunity proved costly. Tottenham’s first meaningful attack in the 19th minute resulted in the opener—Mohammed Kudus delivered a pinpoint corner, Rodrigo Bentancur headed it back across goal, and Van de Ven nodded home from close range to make it 1–0.
Everton responded with determination. James Garner tested goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario with a curling strike from distance, while Jake O’Brien thought he had equalised moments later—only for VAR to rule out his header for offside, with both Grealish and Ndiaye obstructing Vicario’s line of sight.
As halftime approached, Tottenham’s defensive concentration remained firm, and Van de Ven showcased his attacking instincts once again. In stoppage time, Pedro Porro’s inswinging corner eluded Jordan Pickford, allowing Van de Ven to glance home his second goal of the afternoon and double Spurs’ advantage.
Sarr Finishes the Job
Everton pressed for a response in the second half but found little joy against a well-drilled Tottenham back line. Substitute Richarlison, facing his former club, squandered a golden chance to score when he fired straight at Pickford from 10 yards out.
As the clock ticked toward full time, Tottenham delivered the final blow. In the 89th minute, Richarlison nodded a Porro cross toward Pape Sarr, who powered home a header from close range to complete a comprehensive 3–0 victory.
Tottenham’s Revival Gains Momentum
The win not only lifts Tottenham into third place but also highlights the growing belief within Frank’s squad. Van de Ven’s rare brace epitomised the team’s unity and adaptability under their new manager.
While questions remain about Spurs’ creativity in attack, few can doubt their newfound resilience—a stark contrast to the fragility of last season. With momentum building both domestically and in Europe, Tottenham appear to be emerging as genuine contenders once again.