🔗 Share this article

The Tottenham defender found the net twice as Tottenham prolonged their unbeaten run on the road in the Premier League and delivered the Toffees their first defeat at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton were undefeated in their last five matches at their recently opened stadium at the dockside location, having left their historic home behind after 133 years at the conclusion of last season.

But Tottenham's leader Van de Ven struck on two occasions from corners in the first half to place their strong form at jeopardy, and they were unable to mount a comeback before the midfielder - set up by ex-Everton forward Richarlison - nodded in a third to put the game to bed.

Jake O'Brien thought he had equalized the tally a short while after Van de Ven's first goal, glancing a powerful header past Guglielmo Vicario from an set-piece.

Beto, meanwhile, failed to convert a number of opportunities, while the Italian goalkeeper made a series of fine saves to guarantee Tottenham went five away games unbeaten in the English top flight.

But the VAR stepped in, advising Craig Pawson to check the score on the pitchside monitor and the official decided that Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye were in an illegal position and had impeded with the Spurs keeper.

The win elevates Thomas Frank's team into third place in the division, a handful of points off north London rivals and table-toppers Arsenal.

Everton stay in 14th position and are half a dozen points clear of the relegation zone.

Tottenham analysis: Van de Ven excels in duties at both ends of pitch

After a drab weekday performance in the European competition against the French side, where they managed a mere attempts on target, the manager chose Randal Kolo Muani in attack instead of former Toffees player the Brazilian.

The summer signing was unable to make much of an impact before being replaced for Richarlison after 60 minutes on the field, but it turns out he proved unnecessary in the final outcome.

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

Spurs' opening strike came from a cleverly executed corner routine, with the midfielder 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 next goal in first-half stoppage time as he outjumped Jordan Pickford to nod in.

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

Toffees breakdown: Everton lacking striker's instinct

The club's recent stadium had been a fortress, but it appears the freshness may have faded somewhat and fans headed to the exits after the midfielder's third for Tottenham.

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

The forward and the other striker - the Toffees' pair of established centre-forwards - had netted only a single goal combined before the weekend's match.

And they were unable to contribute to that miserable record on a wet and gloomy evening on Merseyside.

Beto's form was epitomized when he opted to overhead kick a clear chance from near the goal, even with having space and opportunity to reposition for a simpler attempt that would have tested Vicario.

The substitute, as well, failed to influence the game after coming on for the starter in the second half.

It was not for a lack of opportunity. The majority of Everton's attacks came through the winger and Ndiaye, who relentlessly delivered dangerous balls into the Tottenham penalty area.

Upcoming fixtures for these two sides?

The Toffees: Moyes' men travel to Sunderland in the top flight on Monday, 3 November at 8 PM.

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