🔗 Share this article

The Tottenham defender scored on two occasions as Spurs prolonged their unbeaten run in away games in the top division and delivered the Toffees their first defeat at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton were unbeaten in their five previous fixtures at their new ground at the dockside location, having left their historic home behind after more than a century 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 strong form at risk, and they were failed to mount a comeback before Pape Matar Sarr - assisted by former Toffees attacker the Brazilian - headed home a third to seal the victory.

Jake O'Brien thought he had levelled the scores a short while after Van de Ven's opener, directing a powerful header past Guglielmo Vicario from an Everton corner.

Beto, in the meantime, failed to convert a number of opportunities, while Vicario made a series of excellent stops to ensure Tottenham went five away games unbeaten in the Premier League.

But the video assistant referee stepped in, instructing Craig Pawson to check the score on the screen and the official decided that Jack Grealish and the attacker were in offside positions and had interfered with the Spurs keeper.

The win moves the manager's team up to third in the Premier League, five points off local foes and table-toppers Arsenal.

The Merseyside club remain 14th and sit six points ahead of the drop zone.

Tottenham analysis: The defender excels in duties at each end of the field

Following a drab weekday performance in the European competition against Monaco, where they managed a mere attempts on target, the manager opted for Randal Kolo Muani up front instead of ex-Everton forward Richarlison.

The new arrival was unable to influence the game before being replaced for the substitute after 60 minutes on the field, but it turns out he wasn't needed in the end.

Defender the Dutchman transformed into an attacking force to be feared.

Spurs' first goal came from a cleverly executed corner routine, with Rodrigo Bentancur heading the ball toward the six-yard box for an free the defender to head home.

And Ven de Ven - filling in as captain in Cristian Romero's absence - added his next goal in first-half stoppage time as he rose above Jordan Pickford to head home.

Van de Ven was equally impressive in defence, combining well with his defensive colleague as the pair dealt excellently with the 34 crosses thrown their way by Everton.

Everton analysis: Toffees missing finishing touch

Everton's recent stadium had been a fortress, but it appears the novelty may have faded slightly and fans headed to the exits after Sarr's final goal for Spurs.

The break in Everton's unbeaten home run won't be a massive concern for the manager, but their striker situation will be.

Beto and Thierno Barry - the Everton's two established strikers - had netted just a single goal between them 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 summed up when he opted to overhead kick a golden opportunity from close range, even with having room and time to readjust for a more conventional attempt that would have challenged the keeper.

The substitute, too, was unable to influence the game after coming on for Beto in the 65th minute.

It was not for a shortage of chance. Most of Everton's attacks came through Grealish and Ndiaye, who relentlessly delivered dangerous crosses into the Spurs penalty area.

Upcoming fixtures for these two sides?

Everton: The team travel to Sunderland in the top flight on early November at 20:00 GMT.

Tottenham: Spurs travel to St James' Park on late October for their next round League Cup tie against the Magpies.