🔗 Share this article

Micky van de Ven found the net on two occasions as Tottenham prolonged their winning streak on the road in the Premier League and delivered the Toffees their first defeat at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton were undefeated in their last five matches at their new ground at Bramley-Moore Dock, having left Goodison Park behind after 133 years at the conclusion of last season.

But Tottenham's leader the Dutchman struck twice from corners in the first half to put their strong form at risk, and they were failed to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - assisted by former Toffees attacker the Brazilian - nodded in a final goal to put the game to bed.

The Everton defender believed he had equalized the scores a short while after the defender's opener, glancing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an Everton corner.

The Portuguese striker, meanwhile, failed to convert a handful of opportunities, while Vicario made a succession of excellent stops to ensure Tottenham went five away games unbeaten in the Premier League.

But the VAR intervened, instructing Craig Pawson to review the score on the screen and the official decided that the winger and the attacker were in an illegal position and had interfered with the Spurs keeper.

This victory elevates Thomas Frank's team into third place in the Premier League, a handful of points off north London rivals and leaders the Gunners.

Everton stay in 14th position and sit half a dozen points ahead of the drop zone.

Spurs breakdown: Van de Ven excels in role at each end of the field

After a uninspiring weekday performance in the European competition against Monaco, where they mustered a mere attempts on target, Frank chose Randal Kolo Muani up front instead of former Toffees player Richarlison.

The summer signing was unable to make much of an impact before being replaced for the substitute after an hour on the pitch, but it turns out he proved unnecessary in the final outcome.

Centre-back the Dutchman converted into an attacking force to be reckoned with.

Tottenham's opening strike came from a cleverly executed set-piece play, with Rodrigo Bentancur heading the ball toward the six-yard box for an free the defender to score.

And Ven de Ven - filling in as skipper in Cristian Romero's absence - added his second in first-half stoppage time as he outjumped Jordan Pickford to head home.

The Dutchman was equally impressive in defensive duties, combining effectively with his defensive colleague as the duo dealt superbly with the numerous deliveries sent their way by the opposition.

Toffees breakdown: Everton missing striker's instinct

The club's new home had been a fortress, but it appears the freshness may have worn off somewhat and fans headed to the exits after the midfielder's third for Spurs.

The end in Everton's winning streak at home won't be a massive worry for David Moyes, but their attacking woes are.

The forward and Thierno Barry - the Toffees' pair of recognised centre-forwards - had netted only one league goal combined before the weekend's outing.

And they were failed to add to that poor tally on a damp and dreary evening on Merseyside.

Beto's form was epitomized when he chose to bicycle-kick a golden opportunity from close range, despite having room and time to readjust for a simpler shot that would have tested Vicario.

The substitute, too, failed to influence the game after coming on for Beto in the second half.

It was not for a shortage of chance. Most of Everton's attacks came through the winger and Ndiaye, who relentlessly delivered dangerous crosses into the Spurs box.

What next for these two sides?

Everton: Moyes' men head to Sunderland in the Premier League on Monday, 3 November at 20:00 GMT.

Tottenham: The London club go to St James' Park on late October for their next round League Cup match against the Magpies.