🔗 Share this article

The Tottenham defender found the net twice as Tottenham extended their unbeaten run in away games 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 Bramley-Moore Dock, having left Goodison Park behind after 133 years at the end of the previous campaign.

But Tottenham's leader the Dutchman pounced on two occasions from corners in the opening 45 minutes to put their strong form at risk, and they were unable to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by former Toffees attacker the Brazilian - nodded in a final goal to put the game to bed.

Jake O'Brien believed he had equalized the tally five minutes after the defender's first goal, glancing a powerful header past Guglielmo Vicario from an Everton corner.

The Portuguese striker, meanwhile, failed to convert a handful of chances, while Vicario made a succession of excellent saves to guarantee the London club went five matches on the road without defeat in the English top flight.

But the VAR intervened, advising the match official to review the goal on the pitchside monitor and the official ruled that the winger and the attacker were in an illegal position and had interfered with the Spurs keeper.

This victory elevates the manager's team up to third in the division, five points off north London rivals and table-toppers Arsenal.

The Merseyside club stay 14th and are half a dozen points ahead of the relegation zone.

Tottenham analysis: The defender excels in duties at each end of the field

Following a drab weekday display in the Champions League against Monaco, where they managed a mere two shots on target, Frank chose Randal Kolo Muani in attack instead of ex-Everton forward the Brazilian.

The summer signing was failed to influence the game before being substituted for Richarlison after an hour on the field, but it emerged he proved unnecessary in the final outcome.

Centre-back Van de Ven converted into an offensive threat to be feared.

Tottenham's first goal came from a well-worked set-piece play, with the midfielder directing the ball toward the face of goal for an unmarked the defender to head home.

And the captain - stepping up as skipper in Cristian Romero's absence - added his next goal in first-half stoppage time as he rose above Jordan Pickford to head home.

Van de Ven was equally outstanding in defensive duties, partnering effectively with Kevin Danso as the pair handled superbly with the numerous deliveries sent their way by the opposition.

Everton analysis: Toffees lacking striker's instinct

The club's new home had been a fortress, but it seems the novelty may have faded slightly and fans flocked to the gates after the midfielder's final goal for Tottenham.

The end in Everton's winning streak at home will not be a major concern for David Moyes, but their attacking woes are.

Beto and the other striker - the Toffees' two recognised strikers - had netted just a single goal between them before Sunday's outing.

And they were unable to add to that poor record on a damp and dreary evening on Merseyside.

Beto's form was summed up when he chose to overhead kick a golden opportunity from close range, even with having space and opportunity to reposition for a simpler shot that would have tested Vicario.

Barry, as well, was unable to influence the game after coming on for the starter in the 65th minute.

It was not for a shortage of chance. The majority of the home side's attacks came through Grealish and the forward, who relentlessly delivered threatening balls into the Tottenham box.

What next for these two sides?

The Toffees: The team head to the Stadium of Light in the top flight on Monday, 3 November at 20:00 GMT.

Spurs: The London club go to Newcastle's ground on late October for their next round League Cup match against Newcastle.