🔗 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.

The Toffees were undefeated in their five previous fixtures at their new ground at Bramley-Moore Dock, having left Goodison Park behind after more than a century at the end of the previous campaign.

But Spurs captain the Dutchman struck on two occasions from set-pieces in the first half to place their impressive record at risk, and they were unable to turn it around before the midfielder - assisted by ex-Everton forward the Brazilian - headed home a final goal to put the game to bed.

Jake O'Brien believed he had equalized the tally five minutes after the defender's first goal, directing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an Everton corner.

The Portuguese striker, meanwhile, missed a number of chances, while the Italian goalkeeper made a succession of excellent stops to ensure Tottenham went five matches on the road unbeaten in the English top flight.

But the VAR stepped in, advising the match official to review the score on the screen and the referee ruled that Jack Grealish and the attacker were in offside positions and had impeded with the Spurs keeper.

The win elevates the manager's side up to third in the division, a handful of points off local foes and table-toppers the Gunners.

The Merseyside club stay in 14th position and sit six points clear of the relegation zone.

Spurs breakdown: Van de Ven excels in role at each end of the field

Following a uninspiring midweek performance in the European competition against the French side, where they managed a mere attempts on goal, the manager opted for the French striker in attack instead of former Toffees player the Brazilian.

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

Defender Van de Ven converted into an offensive threat to be reckoned with.

Tottenham's opening strike came from a cleverly executed corner routine, with the midfielder directing the ball back across the face of goal for an free the defender to score.

And the captain - filling in as skipper in Cristian Romero's unavailability - notched his next goal in first-half stoppage time as he rose above the England keeper to nod in.

The Dutchman was equally impressive in defensive duties, partnering well with Kevin Danso as the pair handled superbly with the 34 crosses sent their way by the opposition.

Toffees breakdown: Everton lacking striker's instinct

Everton's new home had been a fortress, but it appears the novelty may have faded slightly and fans flocked to the exits after the midfielder's final goal for Spurs.

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

Beto and Thierno Barry - the Toffees' two recognised centre-forwards - had netted just one league goal between them before Sunday's outing.

And they were unable to contribute to that poor record on a damp and dreary night on in Liverpool.

Beto's performance was summed up when he chose to overhead kick a golden opportunity from close range, despite having room and opportunity to readjust for a simpler shot that would have challenged Vicario.

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

It wasn't for a lack of chance. The majority of Everton's offensive moves came through Grealish and the forward, who tirelessly delivered dangerous balls into the Spurs penalty area.

What next for both teams?

The Toffees: The team head to the Stadium of Light in the Premier League on early November at 8 PM.

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