🔗 Share this article

Micky van de Ven scored on two occasions as Spurs prolonged their winning streak on the road in the Premier League and delivered Everton their first defeat at their new home.

Everton were unbeaten in their last five matches at their new ground at the dockside location, having departed their historic home behind after 133 years at the end of the previous campaign.

But Spurs captain the Dutchman pounced twice from set-pieces in the first half to put their impressive record at jeopardy, and they were unable to mount a comeback before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by ex-Everton forward Richarlison - nodded in a final goal to seal the victory.

The Everton defender thought he had levelled the scores five minutes after the defender's first goal, glancing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an set-piece.

The Portuguese striker, in the meantime, failed to convert a number of chances, while the Italian goalkeeper made a series of fine saves to ensure the London club went five matches on the road unbeaten in the Premier League.

But the VAR intervened, advising Craig Pawson to review the score on the screen and the referee decided that the winger and the attacker were in offside positions and had interfered with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

The win moves Thomas Frank's side up to third in the Premier League, five points off local foes and leaders the Gunners.

The Merseyside club remain 14th and are six points clear of the drop zone.

Spurs breakdown: The defender excels in role at both ends of the field

After a drab midweek performance in the Champions League against Monaco, where they managed a mere attempts on target, the manager chose the French striker in attack instead of former Toffees player the Brazilian.

The summer signing was failed to influence the game before being replaced for the substitute after an hour on the pitch, but it turns out he wasn't needed in the final outcome.

Defender the Dutchman transformed into an offensive threat to be reckoned with.

Tottenham's first goal came from a cleverly executed corner routine, with Rodrigo Bentancur directing the ball toward the six-yard box for an unmarked the defender to score.

And Ven de Ven - filling in as skipper in the Argentine's unavailability - notched his next goal in first-half stoppage time as he outjumped Jordan Pickford to nod in.

The Dutchman was just as impressive in defence, combining well with Kevin Danso as the pair dealt superbly with the 34 crosses thrown their way by the opposition.

Toffees breakdown: Toffees lacking striker's instinct

The club's recent stadium had been a happy hunting ground, but it appears the novelty may have worn off somewhat and fans flocked to the exits after the midfielder's third for Tottenham.

The break in the team's winning streak at home won't be a major worry for David Moyes, but their attacking woes will be.

Beto and Thierno Barry - the Toffees' pair of recognised strikers - had scored only one league goal between them before Sunday's outing.

And they were failed to contribute to that miserable record on a damp and dreary night on in Liverpool.

The striker's form was epitomized when he chose to overhead kick a clear chance from near the goal, despite having room and time to reposition for a simpler attempt that would have tested Vicario.

Barry, too, failed to influence the game after coming on for the starter in the 65th minute.

It wasn't for a shortage of opportunity. The majority of Everton's attacks came through Grealish and the forward, who relentlessly delivered threatening balls into the Spurs penalty area.

Upcoming fixtures for these two sides?

Everton: The team travel to the Stadium of Light in the top flight on Monday, 3 November at 8 PM.

Tottenham: Spurs travel to St James' Park on Wednesday, 29 October for their next round League Cup match against Newcastle.