🔗 Share this article

The Tottenham defender found the net twice as Spurs extended their unbeaten run on the road in the Premier League and handed Everton their initial loss at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The Toffees were undefeated in their five previous fixtures at their recently opened stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, having left their historic home behind after 133 years at the end of the previous campaign.

But Tottenham's leader the Dutchman pounced twice from set-pieces in the opening 45 minutes to place their strong form at risk, and they were unable to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - assisted by ex-Everton forward Richarlison - nodded in a third to put the game to bed.

Jake O'Brien thought 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 opportunities, while Vicario made a succession of excellent stops to ensure the London club went five away games unbeaten in the English top flight.

But the VAR stepped in, advising Craig Pawson to review the goal on the screen and the referee ruled that the winger and Iliman Ndiaye were in offside positions and had impeded with the Spurs keeper.

The win moves the manager's side into third place in the division, a handful of points off local foes and table-toppers Arsenal.

The Merseyside club stay 14th and sit half a dozen points clear of the relegation zone.

Spurs breakdown: The defender excels in role at both ends of the field

Following a uninspiring midweek display in the Champions League against the French side, where they managed a mere attempts on goal, the manager chose the French striker in attack instead of ex-Everton forward Richarlison.

The new arrival was failed to influence the game before being replaced for Richarlison after 60 minutes on the pitch, but it emerged he wasn't needed in the end.

Centre-back Van de Ven converted into an attacking force to be reckoned with.

Spurs' first goal came from a cleverly executed set-piece play, with Rodrigo Bentancur heading the ball toward the face of goal for an free the defender to score.

And Ven de Ven - filling in as captain in the Argentine's absence - notched his second in first-half stoppage time as he outjumped Jordan Pickford to nod in.

Van de Ven was equally impressive in defensive duties, combining well with Kevin Danso as the duo handled superbly with the 34 crosses thrown their way by Everton.

Everton analysis: Toffees lacking striker's instinct

Everton's recent stadium had been a fortress, but it seems the novelty may have faded slightly and supporters headed to the exits after Sarr's final goal for Spurs.

The end in Everton's unbeaten home run will not be a massive concern for David Moyes, but their striker situation will be.

Beto and Thierno Barry - the Toffees' pair of established strikers - had scored just one league goal between them before Sunday's match.

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

The striker's performance was summed up when he chose to bicycle-kick a clear chance from close range, despite having room and time to reposition for a more conventional attempt that would have challenged Vicario.

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

It wasn't for a lack of opportunity. The majority of Everton's attacks came through Grealish and Ndiaye, who relentlessly delivered dangerous balls into the Spurs box.

Upcoming fixtures for these two sides?

The Toffees: The team head to Sunderland in the top flight on early November at 20:00 GMT.

Tottenham: Spurs go to St James' Park on Wednesday, 29 October for their fourth-round League Cup match against Newcastle.