🔗 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 Everton their first defeat at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The Toffees were undefeated in their last five matches at their new ground at the dockside location, having departed Goodison Park behind after 133 years at the end of last season.

But Tottenham's leader the Dutchman pounced twice from set-pieces in the opening 45 minutes to place their strong form at jeopardy, and they were unable to turn it around before the midfielder - assisted by ex-Everton forward the Brazilian - headed home a final goal to put the game to bed.

The Everton defender thought he had levelled the scores a short while after Van de Ven's first goal, glancing 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 series of fine stops to ensure the London club went five away games without defeat in the Premier League.

But the video assistant referee intervened, instructing the match official to review the score on the pitchside monitor and the official ruled that Jack Grealish and the attacker were in offside positions and had interfered with the Spurs keeper.

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

Everton stay in 14th position and are half a dozen points ahead of the drop zone.

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

After a uninspiring weekday performance in the Champions League against the French side, where they managed a only two shots on target, the manager opted for Randal Kolo Muani in attack instead of ex-Everton forward Richarlison.

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

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

Spurs' opening strike came from a cleverly executed set-piece play, with Rodrigo Bentancur heading the ball toward the face of goal for an unmarked Van de Ven to head home.

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

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

Everton analysis: Toffees missing striker's instinct

Everton's recent stadium had been a happy hunting ground, but it seems the novelty may have worn off slightly and fans headed to the exits after the midfielder's final goal for Spurs.

The break in Everton's unbeaten home run will not be a major worry for David Moyes, but their attacking woes will be.

Beto and the other striker - the Toffees' pair of established strikers - had netted only one league goal combined before the weekend's match.

And they were unable to add to that poor record on a wet and gloomy evening on in Liverpool.

The striker's performance was epitomized when he opted to overhead kick a golden opportunity from near the goal, despite having space and time to readjust for a more conventional shot that would have tested Vicario.

The substitute, as well, was unable to make an impact after coming on for Beto in the 65th minute.

It was not for a shortage of opportunity. Most of the home side's offensive moves came through the winger and the forward, who relentlessly whipped dangerous balls into the Tottenham penalty area.

What next for these two sides?

The Toffees: Moyes' men travel to Sunderland in the Premier League on early November at 20:00 GMT.

Tottenham: The London club travel to St James' Park on Wednesday, 29 October for their next round Carabao Cup match against the Magpies.