🔗 Share this article

The Tottenham defender found the net twice as Tottenham prolonged their unbeaten run on the road in the top division and delivered the Toffees their first defeat at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The Toffees 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 end of last season.

But Tottenham's leader Van de Ven struck twice from corners in the first half to place their impressive record at jeopardy, and they were failed to turn it around before the midfielder - assisted by ex-Everton forward Richarlison - nodded in a third to seal the victory.

Jake O'Brien thought he had levelled the scores a short while after the defender's first goal, glancing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an set-piece.

Beto, meanwhile, failed to convert a number of opportunities, while the Italian goalkeeper made a succession of excellent saves to ensure the London club went five away games without defeat in the English top flight.

But the VAR stepped in, instructing Craig Pawson to check the goal on the screen and the official ruled that the winger and Iliman Ndiaye were in offside positions and had impeded with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

This victory moves the manager's side up to third in the division, five points off local foes and table-toppers Arsenal.

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

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

After a drab weekday display in the European competition against the French side, where they mustered a only attempts on goal, the manager chose the French striker in attack instead of ex-Everton forward the Brazilian.

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

Defender the Dutchman transformed into an attacking force to be reckoned with.

Tottenham's first goal 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 the captain - filling in as captain in Cristian Romero's absence - notched his next goal in added time as he rose above Jordan Pickford to nod in.

The Dutchman was just as impressive in defensive duties, combining well with Kevin Danso as the duo dealt superbly with the 34 crosses sent their way by the opposition.

Toffees breakdown: Toffees missing striker's instinct

The club's new home had been a fortress, but it seems the freshness may have worn off somewhat and fans flocked to the exits after the midfielder's final goal for Spurs.

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

The forward and the other striker - the Toffees' two established centre-forwards - had scored just one league goal between them before Sunday's outing.

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

Beto's performance was summed up when he chose to overhead kick a golden opportunity from close range, despite having space and time to readjust for a simpler shot that would have challenged Vicario.

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

It was not for a shortage of opportunity. The majority of the home side's attacks came through the winger and Ndiaye, who relentlessly delivered dangerous balls into the Spurs box.

What next for these two sides?

The Toffees: The team travel to the Stadium of Light in the top flight on early November at 20:00 GMT.

Spurs: The London club go to St James' Park on Wednesday, 29 October for their fourth-round Carabao Cup match against the Magpies.