🔗 Share this article

The Tottenham defender found the net on two occasions as Tottenham extended their winning streak in away games in the Premier League and delivered the Toffees their initial loss at their new home.

The Toffees were undefeated in their five previous fixtures at their recently opened stadium at the dockside location, having left their historic home behind after 133 years at the end of last season.

But Spurs captain the Dutchman pounced on two occasions from corners in the opening 45 minutes to put their strong form at risk, and they were unable to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by former Toffees attacker Richarlison - nodded in a third to seal the victory.

The Everton defender thought he had equalized the scores five minutes after Van de Ven's opener, directing a powerful header past the Spurs keeper from an Everton corner.

Beto, in the meantime, missed a number of opportunities, while Vicario made a series of excellent stops to guarantee Tottenham went five away games unbeaten in the Premier League.

But the video assistant referee stepped in, instructing Craig Pawson to check the score on the pitchside monitor and the official decided that Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye were in an illegal position and had impeded with the Spurs keeper.

This victory moves Thomas Frank's side up to third 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 relegation zone.

Spurs breakdown: Van de Ven fulfils duties at each end of pitch

After a drab weekday display in the Champions League against Monaco, where they mustered a only attempts on target, the manager opted for Randal Kolo Muani in attack instead of ex-Everton forward Richarlison.

The new arrival was unable to influence the game before being substituted for the substitute after an hour on the field, but it turns out he proved unnecessary in the end.

Centre-back the Dutchman transformed into an attacking force to be feared.

Spurs' opening strike came from a well-worked set-piece play, with the midfielder heading the ball back across the face of goal for an free Van de Ven to score.

And the captain - filling in as skipper in Cristian Romero's absence - added his next goal in first-half stoppage time as he rose above the England keeper to head home.

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

Toffees breakdown: Everton lacking finishing touch

Everton's recent stadium had been a happy hunting ground, but it seems the freshness may have faded somewhat and supporters headed to the exits after Sarr's final goal for Tottenham.

The break in the team's winning streak at home will not be a major worry for the manager, but their striker situation are.

Beto and Thierno Barry - the Toffees' two established strikers - had scored just one league goal between them before Sunday's match.

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

The striker's performance was summed up when he opted to bicycle-kick a clear chance from close range, despite having space and time to reposition for a simpler attempt that would have tested the keeper.

Barry, too, was unable to influence the game after replacing Beto in the 65th minute.

It wasn't for a lack of opportunity. The majority of the home side's offensive moves came through Grealish and Ndiaye, who tirelessly delivered dangerous balls into the Tottenham penalty area.

Upcoming fixtures for both teams?

Everton: The team travel to Sunderland in the top flight on early November at 20:00 GMT.

Spurs: Spurs go to St James' Park on late October for their next round Carabao Cup match against the Magpies.