🔗 Share this article

The Tottenham defender found the net twice as Spurs prolonged their unbeaten run on the road in the Premier League and delivered Everton their initial loss at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton were undefeated in their last five matches at their recently opened stadium at the dockside location, having left Goodison Park behind after 133 years at the conclusion of the previous campaign.

But Tottenham's leader the Dutchman pounced twice from set-pieces in the first half to put their strong form at risk, and they were unable to mount a comeback before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by ex-Everton forward Richarlison - headed home a final goal to put the game to bed.

Jake O'Brien thought he had equalized the tally five minutes after the defender's opener, glancing a powerful header past the Spurs keeper from an Everton corner.

The Portuguese striker, meanwhile, missed a number of chances, while Vicario made a series of excellent stops to ensure Tottenham went five away games without defeat in the English top flight.

But the video assistant referee intervened, advising the match official to check the goal on the screen and the referee decided that Jack Grealish and the attacker were in offside positions and had impeded with the Spurs keeper.

The win elevates the manager's side into third place in the Premier League, a handful of points off north London rivals and table-toppers the Gunners.

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

Spurs breakdown: Van de Ven fulfils duties at both ends of pitch

Following a uninspiring midweek performance in the European competition against Monaco, where they managed a only two shots on goal, the manager chose the French striker in attack instead of former Toffees player the Brazilian.

The summer signing was failed to influence the game before being replaced for Richarlison after 60 minutes on the pitch, but it emerged he proved unnecessary in the end.

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

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

And the captain - filling in as skipper in the Argentine's absence - added his next goal in added time as he outjumped the England keeper to head home.

The Dutchman was equally impressive in defensive duties, combining effectively with his defensive colleague as the pair dealt excellently with the 34 crosses thrown their way by Everton.

Toffees breakdown: Everton missing striker's instinct

The club's new home had been a fortress, but it seems the novelty may have faded somewhat and fans headed to the exits after the midfielder's final goal for Spurs.

The end in the team's winning streak at home will not be a major worry for the manager, but their striker situation will be.

Beto and the other striker - the Everton's two established centre-forwards - had scored only one league goal combined before Sunday's match.

And they were failed to add to that poor tally on a wet and gloomy evening on Merseyside.

The striker's performance was epitomized when he opted to bicycle-kick a clear chance from close range, even with having room and opportunity to readjust for a simpler shot that would have challenged Vicario.

The substitute, as well, was unable to make an impact after replacing the starter in the 65th minute.

It wasn't for a shortage of opportunity. Most of Everton's offensive moves came through Grealish and the forward, who relentlessly delivered threatening crosses into the Tottenham box.

What next for these two sides?

Everton: Moyes' men travel to the Stadium of Light in the Premier League on Monday, 3 November at 20:00 GMT.

Tottenham: The London club go to Newcastle's ground on late October for their fourth-round League Cup match against Newcastle.