🔗 Share this article

The Tottenham defender scored twice as Spurs prolonged their winning streak on the road in the Premier League and delivered the Toffees their first defeat at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

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

But Tottenham's leader the Dutchman struck twice from corners in the opening 45 minutes to place their strong form at risk, and they were failed to turn it around before the midfielder - set up by former Toffees attacker the Brazilian - headed home a final goal to put the game to bed.

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

Beto, in the meantime, failed to convert a handful of opportunities, while the Italian goalkeeper made a succession of fine saves to ensure Tottenham went five matches on the road unbeaten in the English top flight.

But the VAR intervened, instructing Craig Pawson to check the score on the pitchside monitor and the official ruled that Jack Grealish and the attacker were in an illegal position and had interfered with the Spurs keeper.

This victory moves Thomas Frank's team up to third in the Premier League, five points off local foes and table-toppers Arsenal.

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

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

After a drab midweek performance in the European competition against Monaco, where they managed a mere attempts on goal, the manager chose Randal Kolo Muani in attack instead of former Toffees player Richarlison.

The new arrival was failed to make much of an impact before being replaced for the substitute after an hour on the field, but it emerged he wasn't needed in the final outcome.

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

Tottenham's first goal came from a well-worked corner routine, with Rodrigo Bentancur directing the ball toward the six-yard box for an free Van de Ven to head home.

And Ven de Ven - filling in as skipper in the Argentine's unavailability - notched his second in first-half stoppage 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 duo dealt superbly with the numerous deliveries sent their way by Everton.

Everton analysis: Toffees missing finishing touch

Everton's new home had been a fortress, but it appears the novelty may have worn off slightly and supporters headed to the exits after Sarr's third for Spurs.

The end in the team's winning streak at home will not be a massive concern for the manager, but their attacking woes will be.

Beto and the other striker - the Everton's two established strikers - had scored just a single goal between them before the weekend's outing.

And they were unable to add to that poor tally on a wet and gloomy evening on in Liverpool.

Beto's form was epitomized when he opted to overhead kick a clear chance from near the goal, even with having space and opportunity to readjust for a more conventional attempt that would have challenged Vicario.

The substitute, as well, failed to make an impact after replacing the starter in the second half.

It wasn't for a shortage of opportunity. The majority of Everton's attacks came through Grealish and the forward, who relentlessly whipped threatening balls into the Tottenham box.

Upcoming fixtures for both teams?

Everton: Moyes' men head to Sunderland in the top flight on early November at 8 PM.

Tottenham: Spurs go to Newcastle's ground on Wednesday, 29 October for their next round Carabao Cup match against Newcastle.