🔗 Share this article

The Tottenham defender found the net twice as Spurs extended their unbeaten run in away games in the Premier League and handed Everton their initial loss at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The Toffees were unbeaten in their five previous fixtures at their new ground at Bramley-Moore Dock, having departed their historic home behind after 133 years at the conclusion of the previous campaign.

But Tottenham's leader the Dutchman pounced twice from set-pieces in the opening 45 minutes to place their impressive record at risk, and they were failed to mount a comeback before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by former Toffees attacker the Brazilian - headed home a third to put the game to bed.

Jake O'Brien believed he had levelled the scores a short while after Van de Ven's opener, directing a bullet header past the Spurs keeper from an set-piece.

Beto, meanwhile, missed a handful of chances, while Vicario made a series of fine saves to ensure Tottenham went five away games without defeat in the Premier League.

But the VAR intervened, instructing the match official to review the goal on the screen and the official decided that the winger and Iliman Ndiaye were in offside positions and had impeded with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

This victory moves the manager's side into third place in the Premier League, five points off local foes and leaders the Gunners.

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

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

After a uninspiring weekday performance in the Champions League against the French side, where they managed a mere two shots on goal, the manager chose Randal Kolo Muani in attack instead of former Toffees player the Brazilian.

The summer signing was failed to make much of an impact before being substituted for Richarlison after an hour on the pitch, but it emerged he wasn't needed in the end.

Centre-back the Dutchman transformed into an offensive threat to be reckoned with.

Spurs' first goal came from a well-worked set-piece play, with the midfielder directing the ball toward the six-yard box for an unmarked Van de Ven to score.

And the captain - stepping up as skipper in Cristian Romero's absence - notched his second in added time as he outjumped Jordan Pickford to head home.

Van de Ven was equally outstanding in defence, partnering well with his defensive colleague as the duo dealt excellently 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 fans headed to the exits after Sarr's third for Spurs.

The break in the team's winning streak at home will not be a massive worry for David Moyes, but their striker situation will be.

The forward and the other striker - the Everton's pair of established centre-forwards - had scored just a single goal combined before the weekend's match.

And they were unable 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 overhead kick a clear chance from near the goal, despite having space and time to reposition for a simpler attempt that would have tested the keeper.

Barry, too, failed to influence the game after replacing the starter in the second half.

It was not for a lack of chance. Most of the home side's offensive moves came through Grealish and the forward, who relentlessly whipped dangerous crosses into the Spurs box.

Upcoming fixtures for these two sides?

The Toffees: Moyes' men head to the Stadium of Light in the top flight on early November at 20:00 GMT.

Spurs: Spurs go to St James' Park on Wednesday, 29 October for their fourth-round League Cup match against Newcastle.