🔗 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 the Toffees their first defeat at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton 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 end of the previous campaign.

But Spurs captain Van de Ven pounced 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 Pape Matar Sarr - assisted by former Toffees attacker the Brazilian - nodded in a third to put the game to bed.

Jake O'Brien thought he had equalized the tally five minutes after Van de Ven's opener, glancing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an set-piece.

The Portuguese striker, meanwhile, missed a handful of chances, while the Italian goalkeeper made a series of excellent saves to ensure the London club went five matches on the road without defeat in the English top flight.

But the video assistant referee stepped in, instructing Craig Pawson to review the score on the pitchside monitor and the referee ruled that Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye were in offside positions and had interfered with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

The win elevates 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 stay in 14th position and are six points ahead of the drop zone.

Tottenham analysis: The defender excels in role at both ends of pitch

Following a drab midweek performance in the Champions League against Monaco, where they managed a mere attempts on target, the manager opted for Randal Kolo Muani up front instead of ex-Everton forward Richarlison.

The new arrival was unable to influence the game before being substituted for Richarlison after 60 minutes on the field, but it turns out he proved unnecessary in the end.

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

Tottenham's first goal came from a cleverly executed set-piece play, with the midfielder heading the ball toward the six-yard box for an unmarked the defender to score.

And the captain - filling in as skipper in the Argentine's unavailability - notched his next goal in first-half stoppage time as he outjumped Jordan Pickford to head home.

Van de Ven was just as impressive in defence, combining effectively with his defensive colleague as the pair handled superbly with the 34 crosses sent their way by Everton.

Toffees breakdown: Everton missing finishing touch

The club's recent stadium had been a fortress, but it seems the freshness may have worn off slightly and supporters headed to the exits after Sarr's third for Spurs.

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

Beto and the other striker - the Toffees' two recognised strikers - had netted just one league goal combined before Sunday's outing.

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

The striker's performance was summed up when he chose to overhead kick a golden opportunity from close range, even with having room and time to readjust for a more conventional shot that would have tested Vicario.

The substitute, too, was unable to influence the game after coming on for Beto in the second half.

It wasn't for a shortage of chance. Most of the home side's offensive moves came through the winger and Ndiaye, who relentlessly delivered dangerous crosses into the Spurs box.

What next for both teams?

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

Spurs: The London club travel to Newcastle's ground on late October for their next round Carabao Cup tie against Newcastle.