Van de Ven Brace Halts Everton's Unbeaten Streak at New Home Ground

Micky van de Ven scored on two occasions as Spurs extended their unbeaten run on the road in the top division and delivered the Toffees their first defeat at their new home.

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 conclusion of the previous campaign.

But Tottenham's leader the Dutchman pounced twice from corners in the first half to put their strong form at risk, and they were unable to turn it around before the midfielder - set up by ex-Everton forward Richarlison - headed home a third to put the game to bed.

The Everton defender thought he had levelled the tally five minutes after the defender's opener, glancing a powerful header past the Spurs keeper from an set-piece.

The Portuguese striker, in the meantime, failed to convert a number of opportunities, while the Italian goalkeeper made a succession of fine stops to guarantee the London club went five matches on the road unbeaten in the English top flight.

But the video assistant referee intervened, instructing Craig Pawson to check the goal on the pitchside monitor and the official decided that Jack Grealish and the attacker were in offside positions and had interfered with the Spurs keeper.

The win elevates Thomas Frank's team into third place in the Premier League, a handful of points off local foes and leaders Arsenal.

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

Spurs breakdown: The defender fulfils duties at both ends of the field

Following a drab weekday performance in the European competition against the French side, where they mustered a only attempts on goal, the manager chose the French striker up front instead of former Toffees player Richarlison.

The new arrival was failed to influence the game before being substituted for Richarlison after 60 minutes on the field, but it emerged he wasn't needed in the final outcome.

Defender Van de Ven converted into an attacking force to be reckoned with.

Tottenham's first goal came from a cleverly executed corner routine, with the midfielder heading the ball back across the six-yard box for an free the defender to score.

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

The Dutchman was equally outstanding in defensive duties, combining effectively with Kevin Danso as the duo handled superbly with the 34 crosses sent their way by Everton.

Toffees breakdown: Everton lacking finishing touch

The club's recent stadium had been a fortress, but it appears the freshness may have worn off somewhat and fans flocked to the exits after Sarr's third for Spurs.

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

The forward and the other striker - the Toffees' two established centre-forwards - had scored just a single goal between them before Sunday's match.

And they were failed to contribute to that poor record on a damp and dreary night on in Liverpool.

The striker's performance was summed up when he opted to bicycle-kick a clear chance from near the goal, despite having room and time to readjust for a simpler shot that would have tested the keeper.

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

It wasn't for a shortage of opportunity. The majority of the home side's attacks came through Grealish and the forward, who relentlessly delivered dangerous balls into the Spurs penalty area.

What next for both teams?

The Toffees: Moyes' men travel to Sunderland in the Premier League on Monday, 3 November at 20:00 GMT.

Tottenham: Spurs go to Newcastle's ground on late October for their fourth-round League Cup match against Newcastle.