🔗 Share this article

The Tottenham defender found the net twice as Tottenham prolonged their unbeaten run on the road in the top division and delivered the Toffees their initial loss at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton were unbeaten in their five previous fixtures at their new ground at the dockside location, having left Goodison Park behind after 133 years at the conclusion of the previous campaign.

But Spurs captain the Dutchman pounced on two occasions from corners in the first half to place their impressive record at jeopardy, and they were unable to mount a comeback before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by former Toffees attacker Richarlison - nodded in a final goal to seal the victory.

The Everton defender thought he had levelled the tally a short while after the defender's first goal, directing a bullet header past the Spurs keeper from an set-piece.

Beto, in the meantime, failed to convert a handful of opportunities, while the Italian goalkeeper made a succession of excellent saves to guarantee the London club went five matches on the road without defeat in the Premier League.

But the VAR stepped in, advising Craig Pawson to check the score on the pitchside monitor and the referee ruled that Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye were in an illegal position and had interfered with the Spurs keeper.

The win moves Thomas Frank's team into third place in the division, a handful of points off local foes and leaders the Gunners.

The Merseyside club stay in 14th position and are half a dozen points clear of the drop zone.

Tottenham analysis: The defender fulfils role at each end of pitch

After a drab weekday performance in the European competition against the French side, where they mustered a only two shots on target, Frank opted for the French striker in attack instead of former Toffees player the Brazilian.

The summer signing was unable to influence the game before being replaced for the substitute after 60 minutes on the field, but it turns out he proved unnecessary in the end.

Defender Van de Ven converted into an attacking force to be reckoned with.

Spurs' first goal came from a cleverly executed corner routine, with the midfielder heading the ball back across the face of goal for an free Van de Ven to score.

And Ven de Ven - stepping up as skipper in Cristian Romero's unavailability - added his next goal in first-half stoppage time as he outjumped Jordan Pickford to head home.

Van de Ven was equally impressive in defensive duties, partnering well with Kevin Danso as the duo dealt superbly with the 34 crosses sent their way by the opposition.

Everton analysis: Toffees lacking striker's instinct

Everton's recent stadium had been a happy hunting ground, but it appears the novelty may have faded slightly and fans headed to the gates after Sarr's final goal for Spurs.

The end in Everton's winning streak at home won't be a major worry for David Moyes, but their attacking woes are.

Beto and Thierno Barry - the Toffees' pair of established centre-forwards - had scored only a single goal between them before the weekend's match.

And they were unable to contribute to that poor tally on a damp and dreary evening on Merseyside.

The striker's performance was epitomized when he chose to overhead kick a clear chance from close range, despite having room and opportunity to readjust for a more conventional attempt that would have challenged the keeper.

Barry, too, failed to make an impact after coming on for Beto in the second half.

It wasn't for a shortage of chance. The majority of Everton's offensive moves came through Grealish and Ndiaye, who relentlessly delivered dangerous balls into the Tottenham penalty area.

Upcoming fixtures for both teams?

The Toffees: The team head to the Stadium of Light in the Premier League on early November at 20:00 GMT.

Tottenham: Spurs travel to St James' Park on late October for their fourth-round League Cup tie against the Magpies.