Everton vs Tottenham: Van de Ven goal puts Spurs ahead – and Neville says referee felt ‘fear’ over disallowed O’Brien equaliser
There were seven minutes of first-half added time in Everton vs Spurs
Tottenham put themselves on course to become the first visiting team ever to win at Everton’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium when Micky van de Ven scored their opener in the Premier League on Sunday.
Rodrigo Bentancur sent Mohammed Kudus’s corner back across goal for flying full-back van de Ven to nod in after 19 minutes, but there was controversy soon afterwards when Jake O’Brien had an equaliser ruled out when a lengthy Video Assistant Referee (VAR) check ruled that Iliman Ndiaye was offside and had been impeding goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.
Micky van de Ven on the line for Spurs! ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/vQImbE7ZGL
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 26, 2025
“It’s not gone down well,” former Manchester United captain Gary Neville told Sky Sports as boos rang out after referee Craig Pawson announced the goal would not stand.
“You could almost see the fear in the referee’s eyes. I don’t think he’s ever going to save it, but it’s a 50/50 one.
“I don’t think the VAR officials [were] sure themselves. From the VAR we were hearing, they [were] having a right good look at it.”
You can follow 101GreatGoals.com’s live updates from Everton vs Tottenham in the Premier League here.
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Everton vs Spurs: Van de Ven ‘can’t miss’
Everton have started life at their impressive stadium with a five-match undefeated run in all competitions and made a bright start against the only team yet to lose away in the top flight, with the restored Jack Grealish going close for David Moyes’ team.
“It’s really well worked,” Neville said of the goal. “Bentacur is completely unmarked. He’s allowed to run around the back completely free.
“It’s a hell of a shoulder across goal and Van de Ven can’t miss.”
Tottenham lose 2-1 at home to Aston Villa last Sunday and drawing 0-0 at French side Monaco in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Everton team vs Tottenham
Everton made one change by replacing Charly Alcaraz with on-loan playmaker Jack Grealish, who was unable to play against parent club City.
Everton starting XI: Jordan Pickford, Jake O’Brien, James Tarkowski, Michael Keane, Vitalii Mykolenko, Iliman Ndiaye, James Garner, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Idrissa Gueye, Jack Grealish, Beto
Everton substitutes: Dwight McNeil, Thierno Barry, Mark Travers, Tyler Dibling, Séamus Coleman, Charly Alcaraz, Merlin Rohl, Adam Aznou, Tim Iroegbunam
Tottenham team vs Everton
Tottenham manager Thomas Frank made four changes to his starting side from the draw with Monaco.
Randal Kolo Muani was given his first start for Spurs, coming in alongside Xavi Simons, Brennan Johnson and Djed Spence.
Richarlison, Lucas Bergvall, Wilson Odobert and Archie Gray made way.
Tottenham starting XI: Guglielmo Vicario, Pedro Porro, Kevin Danso, Micky van de Ven, Djed Spence, Mohammed Kudus, Joao Palhinha, Xavi Simons, Rodrigo Bentancur, Brennan Johnson, Randal Kolo Muani
Tottenham substitutes: Antonin Kinsky, Richarlison, Mathys Tel, Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall, Wilson Odobert, Pape Matar Sarr, Dane Scarlett, Jun’ai Byfield
How to watch Everton v Tottenham
Everton vs Tottenham Hotspur kicked off at 16:30 GMT on Sunday, October 26, 2025 and is being shown live in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Ultra.
Via Now TV, Sky Sports costs £14.99 for a day membership, £28 a month for a 12-month membership or £34.99 a month with no contract.
Streaming on a vast variety of devices is available via the Sky GO app.
Premier League results and fixtures this weekend
Friday, October 24
Leeds United 2-1 West Ham
Saturday, October 25
Newcastle 2-1 Fulham
Manchester United 4-2 Brighton & Hove Albion
Sunday, October 26
Bournemouth 2-0 Nottingham Forest
Aston Villa 1-0 Manchester City
Wolves 2-3 Burnley
Everton vs Tottenham stats
- Everton are unbeaten in their last four home league matches at the Hill Dickinson Stadium
- Spurs are the only Premier League side unbeaten away from home this season (W3 D1)
- Tottenham have failed to win any of their last six away games at Everton (D3 L3)
- Everton have won five straight Sunday fixtures in the Premier League
- Spurs have kept just one clean sheet in their last five league matches
- Everton have scored in all but one of their home league games this season