🔗 Share this article

Micky van de Ven scored twice as Tottenham prolonged their winning streak on the road in the Premier League and delivered the Toffees their first defeat at their new home.

The Toffees were undefeated in their five previous fixtures at their recently opened stadium at the dockside location, having departed Goodison Park behind after 133 years at the conclusion of the previous campaign.

But Tottenham's leader Van de Ven pounced on two occasions from set-pieces in the first half to put their strong form at risk, and they were failed to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by ex-Everton forward the Brazilian - headed home a final goal to seal the victory.

The Everton defender believed he had equalized the tally five minutes after the defender's first goal, glancing a bullet header past the Spurs keeper from an Everton corner.

Beto, in the meantime, failed to convert a handful of opportunities, while Vicario made a series of fine stops to ensure the London club went five matches on the road without defeat in the Premier League.

But the VAR intervened, instructing Craig Pawson to check the goal on the screen and the referee decided that the winger and the attacker were in offside positions and had interfered with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

The win moves Thomas Frank's team up to third in the Premier League, five points off north London rivals and table-toppers Arsenal.

Everton stay 14th and sit half a dozen points ahead of the drop zone.

Spurs breakdown: The defender fulfils role at each end of pitch

Following a drab midweek display in the Champions League against Monaco, where they mustered a only two shots on goal, the manager chose Randal Kolo Muani in attack instead of former Toffees player the Brazilian.

The summer signing was unable to make much of an impact before being replaced for Richarlison after 60 minutes on the field, but it emerged he wasn't needed in the final outcome.

Centre-back Van de Ven converted into an offensive threat to be reckoned with.

Tottenham's first goal came from a cleverly executed set-piece play, with Rodrigo Bentancur directing the ball toward the face of goal for an free Van de Ven to score.

And Ven de Ven - stepping up as skipper in the Argentine's absence - notched his next goal in added time as he outjumped the England keeper to nod in.

The Dutchman was equally outstanding in defensive duties, combining well with his defensive colleague as the pair dealt excellently with the 34 crosses sent their way by the opposition.

Toffees breakdown: Toffees lacking striker's instinct

The club's recent stadium had been a happy hunting ground, but it seems the freshness 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 won't be a major concern for the manager, but their striker situation are.

The forward and Thierno Barry - the Toffees' two established strikers - had scored only a single goal combined before Sunday's outing.

And they were failed to contribute to that miserable tally on a damp and dreary night on in Liverpool.

The striker's performance was summed up when he opted to overhead kick a clear chance from close range, despite having space and opportunity to readjust for a more conventional attempt that would have tested Vicario.

Barry, as well, failed to make an impact after replacing Beto in the 65th minute.

It was not for a shortage of opportunity. The majority of the home side's attacks came through the winger and the forward, who relentlessly delivered threatening balls into the Tottenham box.

Upcoming fixtures for both teams?

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

Spurs: Spurs go to Newcastle's ground on Wednesday, 29 October for their fourth-round League Cup tie against the Magpies.