🔗 Share this article

The Tottenham defender found the net twice as Tottenham prolonged their winning streak on the road in the Premier League and delivered the Toffees 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 end of last season.

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

The Everton defender believed he had equalized the tally five minutes after Van de Ven's first goal, glancing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an set-piece.

The Portuguese striker, in the meantime, failed to convert a number of chances, while Vicario made a succession of fine saves to guarantee the London club went five matches on the road without defeat in the Premier League.

But the video assistant referee intervened, instructing the match official to review the score on the screen and the official decided that Jack Grealish and the attacker were in an illegal position and had impeded with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

This victory moves Thomas Frank'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 14th and sit half a dozen points ahead of the drop zone.

Spurs breakdown: Van de Ven fulfils duties at each end of pitch

After a drab weekday performance in the Champions League against the French side, where they managed a only two shots on goal, Frank chose Randal Kolo Muani up front instead of ex-Everton forward Richarlison.

The new arrival was failed to make much of an impact before being substituted for Richarlison after 60 minutes on the pitch, but it emerged he proved unnecessary in the final outcome.

Defender the Dutchman converted into an offensive threat to be reckoned with.

Tottenham's opening strike came from a cleverly executed set-piece play, with Rodrigo Bentancur directing the ball back across the six-yard box for an unmarked Van de Ven to score.

And the captain - stepping up as skipper in the Argentine's absence - notched his second in added time as he rose above Jordan Pickford to nod in.

The Dutchman was equally outstanding in defence, partnering effectively with Kevin Danso as the duo dealt superbly with the 34 crosses sent their way by Everton.

Toffees breakdown: Toffees lacking striker's instinct

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

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

Beto and the other striker - the Everton's pair of recognised centre-forwards - had scored just a single goal combined before the weekend's match.

And they were failed to contribute to that miserable record on a wet and gloomy evening on in Liverpool.

Beto's performance was summed up when he opted to overhead kick a clear chance from near the goal, despite having space and opportunity to readjust for a more conventional shot that would have challenged the keeper.

Barry, as well, failed to influence the game after coming on for Beto in the second half.

It was not for a lack of chance. Most of Everton's offensive moves came through the winger and Ndiaye, who tirelessly whipped threatening balls into the Spurs penalty area.

What next for these two sides?

Everton: Moyes' men travel to the Stadium of Light in the top flight on early November at 20:00 GMT.

Tottenham: The London club go to St James' Park on Wednesday, 29 October for their fourth-round Carabao Cup tie against Newcastle.