Van de Ven Brace Halts The Toffees' Run at Brand New Stadium

Micky van de Ven found the net twice as Tottenham prolonged their unbeaten run on the road in the top division and handed Everton their first defeat at their new home.

The Toffees were unbeaten in their five previous fixtures at their new ground at the dockside location, having left Goodison Park behind after more than a century at the end of the previous campaign.

But Tottenham's leader Van de Ven pounced twice from set-pieces in the first half to put their impressive record at risk, and they were unable to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by ex-Everton forward Richarlison - headed home a final goal to seal the victory.

Jake O'Brien believed he had levelled the tally a short while after Van de Ven's opener, directing a powerful header past the Spurs keeper from an set-piece.

The Portuguese striker, in the meantime, missed a handful of opportunities, while the Italian goalkeeper made a succession of fine stops to guarantee the London club went five matches on the road unbeaten in the Premier League.

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

The win moves the manager's team up to third in the division, a handful of points off north London rivals and leaders the Gunners.

The Merseyside club remain 14th and are six points clear of the relegation zone.

Spurs breakdown: Van de Ven excels in role at both ends of the field

After a drab midweek performance in the Champions League against the French side, where they mustered a only attempts on goal, Frank opted for Randal Kolo Muani up front instead of ex-Everton forward Richarlison.

The summer signing was unable to influence the game before being substituted for Richarlison after an hour on the pitch, but it emerged he wasn't needed in the end.

Centre-back the Dutchman converted into an offensive threat to be reckoned with.

Tottenham's opening strike came from a cleverly executed corner routine, with Rodrigo Bentancur directing the ball back across the six-yard box for an free Van de Ven to score.

And Ven de Ven - stepping up as skipper in the Argentine's unavailability - added his second in first-half stoppage time as he rose above the England keeper to nod in.

The Dutchman was equally outstanding in defence, combining effectively with his defensive colleague as the duo handled excellently with the 34 crosses sent their way by Everton.

Toffees breakdown: Toffees missing striker's instinct

Everton's recent stadium had been a fortress, but it seems the novelty may have faded slightly and fans headed to the gates after the midfielder's third for Tottenham.

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

The forward and the other striker - the Everton's pair of recognised centre-forwards - had netted just a single goal between them before Sunday's outing.

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

Beto's performance was summed up when he opted to bicycle-kick a clear chance from close range, despite having space and opportunity to readjust for a more conventional attempt that would have challenged the keeper.

The substitute, as well, was unable to influence the game after replacing the starter in the second half.

It was not for a lack of chance. The majority of Everton's attacks came through the winger and the forward, who tirelessly whipped dangerous crosses into the Tottenham penalty area.

Upcoming fixtures for these two sides?

Everton: Moyes' men head to Sunderland in the Premier League on early November at 8 PM.

Tottenham: The London club travel to Newcastle's ground on late October for their fourth-round League Cup match against the Magpies.