🔗 Share this article

The Tottenham defender found the net twice as Spurs prolonged their unbeaten run on the road in the Premier League and handed Everton their first defeat at their new home.

The Toffees were undefeated in their five previous fixtures at their new ground at the dockside location, having departed their historic home behind after more than a century at the conclusion of the previous campaign.

But Spurs captain Van de Ven pounced on two occasions from set-pieces in the opening 45 minutes to put their strong form at jeopardy, and they were failed to mount a comeback before the midfielder - assisted by ex-Everton forward the Brazilian - nodded in a final goal to seal the victory.

The Everton defender thought he had equalized the scores a short while after the defender's opener, glancing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an Everton corner.

Beto, in the meantime, failed to convert a handful of chances, while Vicario made a succession of excellent saves to guarantee the London club went five away games unbeaten in the English top flight.

But the VAR stepped in, advising the match official to review the score on the pitchside monitor and the official ruled that the winger and Iliman Ndiaye were in offside positions and had interfered with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

The win elevates 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 half a dozen points ahead of the relegation zone.

Tottenham analysis: Van de Ven fulfils role at each end of the field

Following a uninspiring midweek performance in the Champions League against Monaco, where they mustered a mere two shots on goal, the manager opted for Randal Kolo Muani in attack instead of former Toffees player Richarlison.

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

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

Tottenham's first goal came from a cleverly executed set-piece play, with the midfielder heading the ball back across the face of goal for an unmarked the defender to head home.

And Ven de Ven - stepping up as captain in Cristian Romero's absence - notched his next goal in first-half stoppage time as he rose above Jordan Pickford to nod in.

Van de Ven was just as outstanding in defensive duties, partnering effectively with his defensive colleague as the duo handled superbly with the 34 crosses thrown their way by the opposition.

Everton analysis: Everton lacking striker's instinct

The club's new home had been a happy hunting ground, but it appears the novelty may have faded somewhat and fans headed to the exits after the midfielder's third for Spurs.

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

Beto and the other striker - the Toffees' pair of recognised centre-forwards - had scored only one league goal combined before Sunday's match.

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

Beto's form was summed up when he chose to overhead kick a clear chance from close range, despite having space and opportunity to readjust for a more conventional attempt that would have tested Vicario.

The substitute, as well, failed to influence the game after coming on for Beto in the 65th minute.

It was not for a lack of chance. Most of Everton's attacks came through the winger and Ndiaye, who relentlessly delivered threatening crosses into the Tottenham box.

What next for these two sides?

Everton: The team head to Sunderland in the top flight on early November at 8 PM.

Spurs: The London club travel to Newcastle's ground on Wednesday, 29 October for their fourth-round League Cup tie against the Magpies.