Van de Ven Brace Halts The Toffees' Unbeaten Streak at New Home Ground

Micky van de Ven scored twice as Tottenham prolonged their unbeaten run in away games in the top division and handed Everton their first defeat at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton were undefeated in their last five matches at their recently opened stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, having departed their historic home behind after more than a century 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 place their impressive record at jeopardy, and they were unable to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - assisted by ex-Everton forward the Brazilian - nodded in a third to put the game to bed.

The Everton defender believed he had levelled the scores five minutes after the defender's opener, directing a powerful header past the Spurs keeper from an set-piece.

Beto, meanwhile, failed to convert a number of chances, while Vicario made a succession of excellent saves to ensure Tottenham went five matches on the road unbeaten in the English top flight.

But the VAR intervened, instructing the match official to check the score on the pitchside monitor and the official decided that Jack Grealish and the attacker were in offside positions and had impeded with the Spurs keeper.

The win moves Thomas Frank's team up to third in the division, five points off local foes and table-toppers the Gunners.

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

Tottenham analysis: The defender excels in duties at both ends of pitch

After a uninspiring midweek display in the Champions League against Monaco, where they mustered a mere attempts on target, the manager opted for the French striker up front instead of ex-Everton forward the Brazilian.

The new arrival was unable to influence the game before being replaced for the substitute after 60 minutes on the field, but it emerged 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 heading the ball back across the six-yard box for an free the defender to score.

And the captain - stepping up as skipper in the Argentine's unavailability - notched his second in added time as he outjumped Jordan Pickford to nod in.

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

Toffees breakdown: Everton lacking finishing touch

Everton's recent stadium had been a happy hunting ground, but it appears the freshness may have worn off somewhat and supporters flocked to the exits after the midfielder's final goal for Spurs.

The break in Everton's winning streak at home will not be a massive worry for the manager, but their striker situation are.

The forward and the other striker - the Everton's two established strikers - had scored only one league goal combined before the weekend's match.

And they were unable to contribute to that miserable tally on a wet and gloomy evening on Merseyside.

The striker's form was epitomized when he opted to overhead kick a clear chance from near the goal, despite having space and opportunity to reposition for a simpler attempt that would have tested the keeper.

The substitute, too, was unable to influence the game after replacing the starter in the second half.

It wasn't for a shortage of opportunity. Most of the home side's offensive moves came through Grealish and the forward, who tirelessly whipped threatening crosses into the Spurs penalty area.

What next for both teams?

Everton: Moyes' men travel to Sunderland in the Premier League on early November at 8 PM.

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