🔗 Share this article

Micky van de Ven scored on two occasions as Tottenham prolonged their unbeaten run on the road in the top division 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 left their historic home behind after 133 years at the end of the previous campaign.

But Tottenham's leader Van de Ven pounced on two occasions from corners in the first half to put their impressive record at risk, and they were unable to mount a comeback before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by former Toffees attacker Richarlison - headed home a final goal to seal the victory.

Jake O'Brien believed he had levelled the tally five minutes after the defender's first goal, directing a bullet header past the Spurs keeper from an Everton corner.

Beto, in the meantime, failed to convert a number of chances, while the Italian goalkeeper made a succession of excellent saves to guarantee Tottenham went five away games unbeaten in the English top flight.

But the video assistant referee stepped in, instructing the match official to check the score on the screen and the official decided that Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye were in an illegal position and had impeded with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

This victory moves the manager's side up to third in the division, five points off local foes and table-toppers Arsenal.

The Merseyside club remain 14th and are half a dozen points ahead of the drop zone.

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

Following a uninspiring weekday display in the European competition against the French side, where they managed a only two shots on target, Frank opted for Randal Kolo Muani up front instead of former Toffees player Richarlison.

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

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

Spurs' first goal came from a well-worked set-piece play, with the midfielder heading the ball back across the six-yard box for an unmarked the defender to head home.

And the captain - filling in as captain in Cristian Romero's unavailability - added his next goal in added time as he outjumped Jordan Pickford to head home.

Van de Ven was just as outstanding in defensive duties, combining effectively with his defensive colleague as the pair handled superbly with the numerous deliveries thrown their way by Everton.

Toffees breakdown: Toffees missing finishing touch

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

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

The forward and Thierno Barry - the Toffees' two recognised strikers - had netted only a single goal between them before Sunday's outing.

And they were failed to contribute to that poor record on a wet and gloomy evening on in Liverpool.

Beto's form was epitomized when he chose to bicycle-kick a clear chance from close range, even with having space and opportunity to reposition for a simpler attempt that would have tested Vicario.

The substitute, too, was unable to make an impact after coming on for Beto in the 65th minute.

It was not for a shortage of opportunity. Most of Everton's attacks came through Grealish and Ndiaye, who tirelessly whipped threatening crosses into the Tottenham penalty area.

Upcoming fixtures for these two sides?

The Toffees: Moyes' men travel to the Stadium of Light in the Premier League on Monday, 3 November at 8 PM.

Spurs: The London club travel to Newcastle's ground on late October for their next round Carabao Cup tie against the Magpies.