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

The Tottenham defender scored on two occasions as Tottenham extended their winning streak in away games in the top division and delivered Everton their first defeat at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton were undefeated in their five previous fixtures at their recently opened stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, having left Goodison Park behind after more than a century at the end of the previous campaign.

But Tottenham's leader Van de Ven struck on two occasions from corners in the opening 45 minutes to put their strong form at jeopardy, and they were unable to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by former Toffees attacker the Brazilian - 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 bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an set-piece.

Beto, in the meantime, failed to convert a number of opportunities, while Vicario made a succession of excellent stops to ensure the London club went five matches on the road without defeat in the English top flight.

But the VAR intervened, instructing Craig Pawson to review the score on the screen and the referee ruled that Jack Grealish and the attacker 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, a handful of points off local foes and leaders Arsenal.

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

Spurs breakdown: The defender excels in duties at both ends of the field

After a drab midweek performance in the Champions League against Monaco, where they managed a only two shots on target, Frank opted for the French striker 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 60 minutes on the field, but it emerged he proved unnecessary in the end.

Defender Van de Ven converted into an offensive threat to be reckoned with.

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

And Ven de Ven - filling in as captain in the Argentine's absence - notched his second in first-half stoppage time as he rose above Jordan Pickford to nod in.

Van de Ven was equally outstanding in defence, partnering well with Kevin Danso as the duo handled superbly with the 34 crosses thrown their way by Everton.

Toffees breakdown: Toffees lacking striker's instinct

Everton's recent stadium had been a fortress, but it seems the novelty may have worn off slightly and supporters headed to the gates after Sarr's third for Tottenham.

The end in Everton's winning streak at home will not be a major concern for David Moyes, but their attacking woes will be.

Beto and the other striker - the Everton's two recognised strikers - had netted only one league goal between them before Sunday's match.

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

Beto's form was epitomized when he opted to overhead kick a golden opportunity from near the goal, despite having space and time to readjust for a simpler shot that would have challenged the keeper.

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

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

Upcoming fixtures for both teams?

Everton: The team travel to the Stadium of Light in the top flight on Monday, 3 November at 20:00 GMT.

Spurs: Spurs travel to Newcastle's ground on late October for their fourth-round Carabao Cup match against Newcastle.