🔗 Share this article

Micky van de Ven found the net twice as Spurs prolonged their winning streak in away games in the Premier League and delivered Everton their first defeat at their new home.

The Toffees were undefeated in their five previous fixtures at their recently opened stadium at the dockside location, having departed their historic home behind after more than a century at the conclusion of the previous campaign.

But Tottenham's leader Van de Ven pounced twice from corners in the opening 45 minutes to place their strong form at jeopardy, and they were failed to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by ex-Everton forward the Brazilian - nodded in a final goal to put the game to bed.

The Everton defender believed he had levelled the tally five minutes after Van de Ven's opener, glancing a bullet header past the Spurs keeper from an set-piece.

The Portuguese striker, meanwhile, missed a number of chances, while the Italian goalkeeper made a series of fine stops to guarantee the London club went five matches on the road without defeat in the Premier League.

But the VAR intervened, advising the match official to check the score on the pitchside monitor and the referee ruled that Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye were in an illegal position and had interfered with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

The win elevates Thomas Frank's side up to third in the Premier League, five points off north London rivals and leaders the Gunners.

The Merseyside club remain in 14th position and sit six points ahead of the drop zone.

Tottenham analysis: Van de Ven excels in role at both ends of the field

After a drab midweek display in the Champions League against Monaco, where they managed a only two shots on goal, Frank chose the French striker up front instead of ex-Everton forward the Brazilian.

The summer signing was unable to make much of an impact before being replaced for Richarlison after 60 minutes on the pitch, but it turns out he proved unnecessary in the final outcome.

Centre-back the Dutchman transformed into an offensive threat to be feared.

Spurs' first goal came from a cleverly executed corner routine, with Rodrigo Bentancur directing the ball back across the six-yard box for an free the defender to score.

And Ven de Ven - filling in as captain in the Argentine's absence - added his second in added time as he rose above the England keeper to head home.

Van de Ven was just as outstanding in defence, combining well with his defensive colleague as the pair dealt excellently with the 34 crosses thrown their way by the opposition.

Everton analysis: Toffees lacking finishing touch

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

The break in the team's unbeaten home run won't be a massive concern for David Moyes, but their attacking woes are.

Beto and Thierno Barry - the Everton's pair of established centre-forwards - had netted only one league goal combined before the weekend's match.

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

The striker's performance was summed up when he opted to bicycle-kick a golden opportunity from near the goal, even with having space and time to reposition for a more conventional shot that would have tested Vicario.

The substitute, too, failed to make an impact after replacing Beto in the 65th minute.

It was not for a shortage of chance. The majority of Everton's offensive moves came through Grealish and the forward, who tirelessly whipped threatening crosses into the Tottenham penalty area.

Upcoming fixtures for these two sides?

The Toffees: Moyes' men travel to Sunderland in the Premier League on early November at 20:00 GMT.

Spurs: Spurs go to Newcastle's ground on Wednesday, 29 October for their fourth-round League Cup match against the Magpies.