Van de Ven Brace Ends Everton's Run at Brand New Stadium

The Tottenham defender scored on two occasions as Spurs extended their unbeaten run in away games in the top division and handed the Toffees their first defeat at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The Toffees were unbeaten in their five previous fixtures at their recently opened stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, having left their historic home behind after more than a century at the conclusion of the previous campaign.

But Spurs captain the Dutchman struck twice from set-pieces in the first half to put their impressive record at risk, and they were unable to mount a comeback before Pape Matar Sarr - assisted by ex-Everton forward Richarlison - nodded in a final goal to put the game to bed.

The Everton defender believed he had levelled the tally a short while after Van de Ven's first goal, directing a powerful header past Guglielmo Vicario from an set-piece.

Beto, meanwhile, missed a handful of chances, while the Italian goalkeeper made a succession of excellent saves to guarantee Tottenham went five matches on the road unbeaten in the English top flight.

But the VAR intervened, advising the match official to check the score on the pitchside monitor and the referee decided that Jack Grealish and the attacker were in offside positions and had impeded with the Spurs keeper.

This victory moves the manager's team into third place in the division, a handful of points off north London rivals and table-toppers Arsenal.

The Merseyside club stay in 14th position and are six points clear of the drop zone.

Tottenham analysis: The defender fulfils role at each end of pitch

After a uninspiring midweek display in the Champions League against Monaco, where they mustered a only two shots on target, the manager opted for the French striker up front instead of ex-Everton forward the Brazilian.

The summer signing was unable to influence the game before being replaced for the substitute after 60 minutes on the pitch, but it emerged he proved unnecessary in the final outcome.

Defender Van de Ven transformed into an offensive threat to be reckoned with.

Tottenham's opening strike came from a cleverly executed corner routine, with Rodrigo Bentancur heading the ball back across the six-yard box for an unmarked the defender to score.

And Ven de Ven - stepping up as skipper in the Argentine's absence - notched his second in added time as he rose above the England keeper to head home.

Van de Ven was just as impressive in defensive duties, partnering well with his defensive colleague as the duo handled superbly with the numerous deliveries thrown their way by Everton.

Everton analysis: Everton missing striker's instinct

Everton's new home had been a fortress, but it appears the novelty may have faded slightly and fans headed to the exits after Sarr's final goal for Spurs.

The end in Everton's winning streak at home will not be a massive worry for David Moyes, but their striker situation will be.

The forward and the other striker - the Toffees' 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 damp and dreary evening on Merseyside.

The striker's performance was epitomized when he chose to overhead kick a clear chance from near the goal, even with having room and time to reposition for a more conventional attempt that would have challenged the keeper.

The substitute, too, failed to influence the game after replacing Beto in the second half.

It was not for a shortage of chance. Most of the home side's offensive moves came through the winger and Ndiaye, who relentlessly delivered threatening crosses into the Tottenham penalty area.

Upcoming fixtures for these two sides?

The Toffees: The team travel to Sunderland in the top flight 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.