🔗 Share this article

Micky van de Ven scored twice as Tottenham prolonged their unbeaten run in away games in the Premier League and delivered the Toffees their initial loss at their new home.

Everton were undefeated in their last five matches at their recently opened stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, having departed Goodison Park behind after more than a century at the conclusion of the previous campaign.

But Spurs captain the Dutchman pounced on two occasions from set-pieces in the first half to put their impressive record at risk, and they were failed to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - assisted by ex-Everton forward the Brazilian - headed home a final goal to put the game to bed.

Jake O'Brien believed he had levelled the tally five minutes after the defender's opener, directing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an set-piece.

Beto, meanwhile, missed a handful of chances, while the Italian goalkeeper made a succession of fine stops to ensure the London club went five matches on the road unbeaten in the English top flight.

But the VAR intervened, advising the match official to review the goal on the pitchside monitor and the official decided that Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye were in offside positions and had interfered with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

The win elevates Thomas Frank's team up to third in the Premier League, five points off local foes and leaders Arsenal.

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

Spurs breakdown: The defender excels in role at each end of pitch

Following a drab weekday display in the Champions League against Monaco, where they mustered a mere two shots on goal, the manager opted for the French striker up front instead of former Toffees player the Brazilian.

The new arrival was unable to influence the game before being substituted for the substitute after an hour on the pitch, but it emerged he wasn't needed in the final outcome.

Defender Van de Ven transformed into an offensive threat to be reckoned with.

Spurs' opening strike came from a cleverly executed set-piece play, with Rodrigo Bentancur directing the ball back across the six-yard box for an unmarked Van de Ven to score.

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

The Dutchman was equally outstanding in defensive duties, partnering well with his defensive colleague as the duo handled superbly with the 34 crosses thrown their way by the opposition.

Everton analysis: Toffees missing finishing touch

Everton's recent stadium had been a fortress, but it seems the novelty may have worn off slightly and fans flocked to the gates after the midfielder's third for Spurs.

The end in Everton's unbeaten home run will not be a major worry for David Moyes, but their attacking woes are.

Beto and Thierno Barry - the Everton's two established centre-forwards - had scored only a single goal combined before Sunday's outing.

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

Beto's performance was epitomized when he opted to overhead kick a golden opportunity from near the goal, despite having room and opportunity to reposition for a more conventional shot that would have tested the keeper.

Barry, as well, failed to influence the game after replacing the starter in the 65th minute.

It wasn't for a shortage of opportunity. Most of Everton's offensive moves came through Grealish and the forward, who tirelessly whipped threatening balls into the Spurs penalty area.

What next for both teams?

Everton: The team head to Sunderland in the Premier League on early November at 20:00 GMT.

Spurs: Spurs travel to Newcastle's ground on late October for their fourth-round Carabao Cup tie against Newcastle.