🔗 Share this article

The Tottenham defender found the net on two occasions as Tottenham prolonged their winning streak on the road in the top division and delivered the Toffees their initial loss at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The Toffees were unbeaten in their last five matches at their recently opened stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, having departed Goodison Park behind after 133 years at the end of the previous campaign.

But Tottenham's leader the Dutchman struck twice from corners in the opening 45 minutes to place their strong form at jeopardy, and they were failed to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by former Toffees attacker Richarlison - headed home a final goal to put the game to bed.

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

Beto, meanwhile, failed to convert a number of opportunities, while Vicario made a succession of fine saves to guarantee Tottenham went five away games unbeaten in the Premier League.

But the VAR intervened, instructing the match official to check the score on the screen and the official decided that the winger and the attacker were in an illegal position and had impeded with the Spurs keeper.

This victory elevates the manager's side into third place in the Premier League, a handful of points off north London rivals and table-toppers the Gunners.

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

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

Following a drab weekday display in the European competition against Monaco, where they managed a only attempts on goal, Frank opted for Randal Kolo Muani up front instead of ex-Everton forward Richarlison.

The new arrival was failed to make much of an impact 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 Van de Ven transformed into an offensive threat to be reckoned with.

Spurs' first goal came from a well-worked set-piece play, with Rodrigo Bentancur directing the ball toward the face of goal for an free Van de Ven to score.

And Ven de Ven - filling in as captain in the Argentine's absence - added his next goal in first-half stoppage time as he rose above Jordan Pickford to nod in.

The Dutchman was just as outstanding in defence, partnering well with his defensive colleague as the duo handled superbly with the numerous deliveries thrown their way by the opposition.

Toffees breakdown: Everton missing striker's instinct

The club's recent stadium had been a fortress, but it appears the freshness may have faded slightly and supporters flocked to the gates after Sarr's final goal for Spurs.

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

The forward and Thierno Barry - the Everton's pair of recognised strikers - had netted only a single goal between them before the weekend's outing.

And they were unable to contribute to that miserable record on a damp and dreary evening on in Liverpool.

Beto's form 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 challenged Vicario.

The substitute, too, was unable to influence the game after replacing Beto in the 65th minute.

It wasn't for a shortage of opportunity. The majority of Everton's offensive moves came through the winger and Ndiaye, who relentlessly delivered dangerous crosses into the Spurs penalty area.

Upcoming fixtures for these two sides?

Everton: The team travel to Sunderland in the Premier League on early November at 8 PM.

Spurs: Spurs travel to Newcastle's ground on Wednesday, 29 October for their next round Carabao Cup tie against the Magpies.