🔗 Share this article

The Tottenham defender scored on two occasions as Tottenham prolonged their winning streak on the road in the Premier League and delivered the Toffees their initial loss at their new home.

Everton were undefeated 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 end of last season.

But Spurs captain the Dutchman pounced on two occasions from set-pieces in the first half to place their impressive record at jeopardy, and they were failed to mount a comeback before the midfielder - set up by former Toffees attacker Richarlison - nodded in a final goal to put the game to bed.

The Everton defender believed he had equalized the scores a short while after Van de Ven's first goal, glancing a bullet header past the Spurs keeper from an Everton corner.

The Portuguese striker, meanwhile, missed a handful of chances, while Vicario made a series of fine stops to ensure the London club went five away games unbeaten in the English top flight.

But the video assistant referee intervened, advising the match official to check the score on the pitchside monitor and the official decided that Jack Grealish and the attacker were in an illegal position and had interfered with the Spurs keeper.

This victory elevates the manager's side into third place in the division, a handful of points off local foes and table-toppers the Gunners.

Everton stay in 14th position and are six points ahead of the drop zone.

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

Following a drab weekday display in the Champions League against the French side, where they managed a mere two shots on target, Frank chose Randal Kolo Muani up front instead of former Toffees player the Brazilian.

The new arrival was failed to make much of an impact before being substituted for the substitute after an hour on the field, but it emerged he wasn't needed in the end.

Centre-back the Dutchman transformed into an attacking force to be feared.

Tottenham's first goal came from a cleverly executed set-piece play, with Rodrigo Bentancur heading the ball back across the face of goal for an unmarked the defender to score.

And the captain - stepping up as skipper in Cristian Romero's unavailability - added his second in first-half stoppage time as he rose above Jordan Pickford to head home.

Van de Ven was just as outstanding in defence, partnering well with Kevin Danso as the pair dealt excellently with the 34 crosses sent their way by the opposition.

Everton analysis: Toffees missing striker's instinct

The club's recent stadium had been a happy hunting ground, but it appears the novelty may have worn off somewhat and supporters headed to the gates after Sarr's third for Spurs.

The break in the team's winning streak at home won't be a major worry for the manager, but their striker situation are.

Beto and the other striker - the Everton's two established strikers - had scored only a single goal between them before Sunday's outing.

And they were unable to contribute to that miserable tally on a damp and dreary evening on Merseyside.

The striker's performance was summed up when he opted to bicycle-kick a golden opportunity from near the goal, despite having space and opportunity to reposition for a simpler attempt that would have tested Vicario.

The substitute, too, failed to make an impact after coming on for Beto in the second half.

It wasn't for a lack of opportunity. Most of Everton's attacks came through the winger and the forward, who tirelessly delivered threatening balls into the Tottenham penalty area.

What next for these two sides?

The Toffees: Moyes' men head to the Stadium of Light in the top flight on Monday, 3 November at 20:00 GMT.

Tottenham: Spurs go to Newcastle's ground on late October for their next round League Cup tie against Newcastle.