🔗 Share this article

The Tottenham defender scored twice as Spurs extended their unbeaten run on the road in the Premier League and handed the Toffees their first defeat at their new home.

The Toffees 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 conclusion of last season.

But Tottenham's leader Van de Ven struck on two occasions from set-pieces in the opening 45 minutes to place their strong form at jeopardy, and they were unable to mount a comeback before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by former Toffees attacker the Brazilian - headed home a final goal to put the game to bed.

The Everton defender thought he had equalized the tally five minutes after the defender's first goal, directing a powerful header past Guglielmo Vicario from an Everton corner.

Beto, meanwhile, missed a handful of opportunities, while the Italian goalkeeper made a succession of excellent stops to guarantee the London club went five matches on the road without defeat in the English top flight.

But the video assistant referee intervened, instructing the match official to review the score on the pitchside monitor and the official decided that the winger and the attacker were in offside positions and had impeded with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

This victory moves Thomas Frank's team 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 six points ahead of the drop zone.

Spurs breakdown: The defender excels in role at both ends of pitch

After a uninspiring midweek performance in the Champions League against the French side, where they managed a only attempts on target, Frank opted for the French striker in attack instead of former Toffees player Richarlison.

The new arrival was failed to make much of an impact before being replaced for Richarlison after 60 minutes on the pitch, but it emerged he wasn't needed in the end.

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

Spurs' first goal came from a cleverly executed set-piece play, with Rodrigo Bentancur heading the ball toward the six-yard box for an unmarked Van de Ven to score.

And the captain - filling in as captain in the Argentine's unavailability - notched his second in added time as he outjumped the England keeper to head home.

The Dutchman was equally outstanding in defence, partnering effectively with Kevin Danso as the pair dealt excellently with the numerous deliveries thrown their way by Everton.

Toffees breakdown: Everton missing striker's instinct

Everton's recent stadium had been a fortress, but it appears the freshness may have worn off slightly and supporters headed to the gates after the midfielder's third for Spurs.

The end in the team's winning streak at home won't be a massive concern for David Moyes, but their attacking woes will be.

The forward and Thierno Barry - the Everton's pair of recognised strikers - had netted just a single goal between them before the weekend's outing.

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

The striker's performance was epitomized when he opted to bicycle-kick a golden opportunity from near the goal, even with having room and opportunity to reposition for a more conventional attempt that would have challenged the keeper.

Barry, too, failed to make an impact after coming on for Beto in the 65th minute.

It wasn't for a lack of opportunity. The majority of the home side's attacks came through Grealish and the forward, who tirelessly whipped threatening crosses into the Spurs box.

What next for both teams?

The Toffees: The team travel to Sunderland in the Premier League on early November at 20:00 GMT.

Spurs: The London club go to St James' Park on late October for their fourth-round League Cup tie against the Magpies.