🔗 Share this article

Micky van de Ven found the net twice as Spurs prolonged their unbeaten run in away games in the Premier League and delivered Everton their first defeat at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton were unbeaten in their five previous fixtures at their recently opened stadium at the dockside location, having left Goodison Park behind after 133 years at the conclusion of last season.

But Tottenham's leader Van de Ven pounced on two occasions from set-pieces in the opening 45 minutes to place their impressive record at jeopardy, and they were failed to mount a comeback before the midfielder - assisted by former Toffees attacker Richarlison - nodded in a final goal to seal the victory.

Jake O'Brien believed he had equalized the scores five minutes after the defender's first goal, glancing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an set-piece.

Beto, meanwhile, missed a number of chances, while the Italian goalkeeper made a succession of excellent saves to ensure Tottenham went five matches on the road without defeat in the Premier League.

But the video assistant referee stepped in, advising the match official to review 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.

The win moves the manager's team up to third in the Premier League, a handful of points off local foes and table-toppers the Gunners.

The Merseyside club remain in 14th position and sit half a dozen points ahead of the relegation zone.

Tottenham analysis: Van de Ven fulfils role at each end of pitch

Following a drab midweek display in the Champions League against the French side, where they managed a only attempts on goal, the manager chose Randal Kolo Muani up front instead of ex-Everton forward the Brazilian.

The new arrival was failed to make much of an impact before being replaced for the substitute after an hour on the pitch, but it emerged he proved unnecessary in the end.

Centre-back Van de Ven converted into an offensive threat to be feared.

Spurs' opening strike came from a well-worked set-piece play, with the midfielder directing the ball toward the face of goal for an unmarked Van de Ven to score.

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

Van de Ven was equally outstanding in defence, partnering well with his defensive colleague as the pair handled excellently with the numerous deliveries thrown their way by Everton.

Toffees breakdown: Everton missing finishing touch

The club's new home had been a happy hunting ground, but it seems the novelty may have faded somewhat and fans headed to the gates after the midfielder's final goal for Spurs.

The end in the team's unbeaten home run will not be a major worry for David Moyes, but their attacking woes are.

The forward and Thierno Barry - the Everton's pair of recognised strikers - had scored only one league goal combined before Sunday's outing.

And they were unable to add to that poor record on a wet and gloomy night on in Liverpool.

The striker's performance was epitomized when he opted to overhead kick a golden opportunity from close range, despite having space and opportunity to reposition for a simpler shot that would have tested Vicario.

Barry, too, was unable to make an impact after replacing the starter in the 65th minute.

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

Upcoming fixtures for these two sides?

Everton: Moyes' men head to the Stadium of Light in the Premier League on Monday, 3 November at 8 PM.

Spurs: The London club go to St James' Park on Wednesday, 29 October for their fourth-round League Cup tie against the Magpies.