🔗 Share this article

The Tottenham defender scored twice as Tottenham prolonged their unbeaten run in away games in the top division and handed Everton their first defeat at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton were undefeated in their five previous fixtures at their new ground at the dockside location, having departed Goodison Park behind after more than a century at the end of the previous campaign.

But Tottenham's leader the Dutchman pounced on two occasions from set-pieces in the first half to put their impressive record at jeopardy, and they were unable to mount a comeback before the midfielder - set up by former Toffees attacker the Brazilian - headed home a third to seal the victory.

Jake O'Brien believed he had levelled the tally a short while after Van de Ven's first goal, glancing a powerful header past the Spurs keeper from an set-piece.

Beto, meanwhile, missed a number of opportunities, while Vicario made a succession of excellent stops to guarantee Tottenham went five matches on the road unbeaten in the Premier League.

But the VAR stepped in, instructing the match official to review the goal on the screen and the referee decided that Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye were in offside positions and had interfered with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

This victory moves the manager's team up to third in the Premier League, a handful of points off north London rivals and leaders Arsenal.

The Merseyside club remain 14th and sit six points clear of the relegation zone.

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

After a drab weekday performance in the European competition against Monaco, where they managed a only attempts on goal, the manager chose Randal Kolo Muani up front instead of former Toffees player the Brazilian.

The summer signing was failed to influence the game before being replaced for Richarlison after 60 minutes on the pitch, but it emerged he wasn't needed in the final outcome.

Defender Van de Ven converted into an offensive threat to be reckoned with.

Spurs' opening strike came from a cleverly executed set-piece play, with the midfielder directing the ball toward the face of goal for an unmarked Van de Ven to score.

And Ven de Ven - filling in as skipper in Cristian Romero's absence - notched his second in first-half stoppage time as he outjumped Jordan Pickford to head home.

The Dutchman was equally impressive in defensive duties, combining effectively with Kevin Danso as the duo dealt superbly with the numerous deliveries thrown their way by Everton.

Everton analysis: Toffees lacking finishing touch

Everton's new home had been a fortress, but it seems the freshness may have worn off slightly and fans headed to the exits after the midfielder's final goal for Tottenham.

The break in Everton's winning streak at home won't be a massive concern for the manager, but their attacking woes will be.

The forward and Thierno Barry - the Toffees' two established centre-forwards - had scored just one league 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 Merseyside.

The striker's form was summed up when he opted to overhead kick a clear chance from near the goal, despite having space and time to reposition for a more conventional shot that would have tested Vicario.

Barry, too, failed to influence the game after replacing Beto in the 65th minute.

It wasn't for a shortage of chance. The majority of the home side's attacks came through Grealish and Ndiaye, who relentlessly delivered dangerous crosses into the Tottenham box.

Upcoming fixtures for these two sides?

Everton: The team travel to Sunderland in the Premier League on Monday, 3 November at 8 PM.

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