Van de Ven Double Ends Everton's Unbeaten Streak at New Home Ground

Micky van de Ven scored on two occasions as Tottenham prolonged their unbeaten run in away games in the Premier League and delivered the Toffees their first defeat at their new home.

Everton were undefeated 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 the Dutchman pounced on two occasions from set-pieces in the opening 45 minutes to put their strong form at risk, and they were failed to turn it around before the midfielder - set up by ex-Everton forward the Brazilian - headed home a third to put the game to bed.

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

Beto, in the meantime, failed to convert a number of chances, while the Italian goalkeeper made a series 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 stepped in, advising Craig Pawson to check the score on the pitchside monitor and the official decided that the winger and the attacker were in an illegal position and had impeded with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

This victory moves the manager's team up to third in the Premier League, a handful of points off north London rivals and table-toppers the Gunners.

Everton remain 14th and are half a dozen points clear of the drop zone.

Spurs breakdown: The defender excels in duties at each end of the field

After a drab midweek performance in the Champions League against the French side, where they mustered a only two shots on target, the manager chose the French striker up front instead of former Toffees player Richarlison.

The summer signing was unable to make much of an impact before being substituted for the substitute after an hour on the pitch, but it turns out he wasn't needed in the end.

Defender the Dutchman converted into an offensive threat to be reckoned with.

Tottenham's first goal came from a well-worked corner routine, with the midfielder heading the ball back across the face of goal for an free Van de Ven to head home.

And the captain - filling in as skipper in Cristian Romero's absence - notched his next goal in added time as he outjumped Jordan Pickford to head home.

The Dutchman was equally outstanding in defence, partnering effectively with his defensive colleague as the pair dealt superbly with the 34 crosses thrown their way by the opposition.

Toffees breakdown: Everton lacking finishing touch

The club's new home had been a fortress, but it appears the novelty may have worn off somewhat and fans headed to the exits after the midfielder's final goal for Tottenham.

The break in Everton's unbeaten home run won't be a massive worry for David Moyes, but their striker situation will be.

Beto and the other striker - the Toffees' pair of established centre-forwards - had scored only one league goal combined before Sunday's match.

And they were failed to contribute to that poor record on a wet and gloomy night on Merseyside.

The striker's performance was epitomized when he chose to overhead kick a clear chance from close range, despite having space and opportunity to reposition for a simpler shot that would have challenged the keeper.

The substitute, as well, failed to influence the game after coming on for the starter in the 65th minute.

It wasn't for a shortage of chance. Most of the home side's offensive moves came through the winger and Ndiaye, who relentlessly whipped dangerous balls into the Tottenham penalty area.

What next for both teams?

Everton: The team travel to Sunderland in the Premier League on Monday, 3 November at 8 PM.

Spurs: Spurs go to St James' Park on late October for their fourth-round Carabao Cup match against Newcastle.