🔗 Share this article

Micky van de Ven found the net on two occasions as Spurs extended their unbeaten run on the road in the top division and handed the Toffees their initial loss at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton were unbeaten in their last five matches at their recently opened stadium at the dockside location, having departed their historic home behind after 133 years at the conclusion of the previous campaign.

But Spurs captain Van de Ven pounced on two occasions from corners in the first half to put their strong form at risk, and they were failed to mount a comeback before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by ex-Everton forward Richarlison - nodded in a third to put the game to bed.

Jake O'Brien thought he had levelled the scores a short while after the defender's first goal, directing a powerful header past Guglielmo Vicario from an Everton corner.

Beto, meanwhile, failed to convert a handful of chances, while Vicario made a series of fine saves to ensure the London club went five away games without defeat in the English top flight.

But the VAR intervened, advising the match official to review the score on the pitchside monitor and the official decided that Jack Grealish and the attacker were in an illegal position and had interfered with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

The win elevates Thomas Frank's side into third place in the division, five points off local foes and table-toppers Arsenal.

Everton remain 14th and are half a dozen points clear of the relegation zone.

Tottenham analysis: Van de Ven fulfils duties at both ends of pitch

Following a drab midweek display in the European competition against the French side, where they mustered a mere attempts on goal, Frank opted for Randal Kolo Muani in attack instead of former Toffees player Richarlison.

The new arrival was failed to influence the game before being substituted for the substitute after 60 minutes on the pitch, but it turns out he wasn't needed in the final outcome.

Defender the Dutchman converted into an offensive threat to be feared.

Tottenham's first goal came from a cleverly executed set-piece play, with the midfielder directing the ball toward the six-yard box for an free the defender to score.

And Ven de Ven - stepping up as skipper in Cristian Romero's absence - notched his second in added time as he rose above Jordan Pickford to nod in.

Van de Ven was just as impressive in defensive duties, combining well with Kevin Danso as the pair dealt excellently with the numerous deliveries sent their way by Everton.

Everton analysis: Everton missing finishing touch

The club's recent stadium had been a happy hunting ground, but it seems the novelty may have faded somewhat and fans headed to the gates after the midfielder's third for Spurs.

The end in Everton's winning streak at home won't be a massive concern for David Moyes, but their striker situation are.

Beto and the other striker - the Toffees' two recognised centre-forwards - had netted just one league goal combined before the weekend's match.

And they were failed to contribute to that poor record on a damp and dreary evening on Merseyside.

The striker's performance was epitomized when he opted to bicycle-kick a clear chance from close range, even with having space and opportunity to readjust for a simpler attempt that would have challenged Vicario.

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

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

Upcoming fixtures for these two sides?

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

Spurs: The London club travel to St James' Park on Wednesday, 29 October for their fourth-round Carabao Cup match against the Magpies.