🔗 Share this article

The Tottenham defender scored twice as Tottenham extended their unbeaten run on the road in the top division and delivered Everton their initial loss at their new home.

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 conclusion of last season.

But Tottenham's leader the Dutchman struck on two occasions from set-pieces in the first half to place their strong form at risk, and they were unable to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - assisted by ex-Everton forward the Brazilian - headed home a final goal to put the game to bed.

The Everton defender believed he had equalized the tally five minutes after Van de Ven's first goal, directing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an set-piece.

Beto, in the meantime, failed to convert a handful of opportunities, while the Italian goalkeeper made a succession of fine saves to guarantee Tottenham went five matches on the road without defeat in the Premier League.

But the VAR stepped in, advising the match official to check the score on the pitchside monitor and the official ruled that Jack Grealish and the attacker were in an illegal position and had interfered with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

The win moves the manager's team up to third in the division, five points off north London rivals and leaders the Gunners.

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

Tottenham analysis: Van de Ven fulfils role at both ends of pitch

Following a drab midweek performance in the European competition against Monaco, where they managed a mere two shots on target, Frank chose the French striker in attack instead of former Toffees player the Brazilian.

The new arrival was failed to influence the game before being substituted for Richarlison after 60 minutes on the pitch, but it emerged he proved unnecessary in the final outcome.

Centre-back the Dutchman converted into an attacking force to be feared.

Spurs' first goal came from a well-worked corner routine, with Rodrigo Bentancur heading the ball back across the face of goal for an unmarked the defender to score.

And Ven de Ven - filling in as skipper in Cristian Romero's unavailability - added his next goal in first-half stoppage time as he outjumped the England keeper to nod in.

The Dutchman was just as impressive in defensive duties, partnering well with his defensive colleague as the pair dealt superbly with the 34 crosses sent their way by the opposition.

Toffees breakdown: Everton lacking finishing touch

The club's recent stadium had been a fortress, but it seems the novelty may have faded slightly and supporters flocked to the exits after Sarr's third for Tottenham.

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

Beto and Thierno Barry - the Toffees' two established centre-forwards - had netted only one league goal combined before the weekend's outing.

And they were failed to add to that miserable tally on a damp and dreary night on in Liverpool.

The striker's form was summed up when he chose to overhead kick a clear chance from close range, even with having space and time to reposition for a more conventional shot that would have tested Vicario.

The substitute, too, was unable to influence the game after coming on for the starter in the second half.

It was not for a shortage of opportunity. The majority of Everton's offensive moves came through the winger and Ndiaye, who relentlessly delivered threatening crosses into the Tottenham box.

Upcoming fixtures for both teams?

Everton: The team head to the Stadium of Light in the top flight on early November at 20:00 GMT.

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