Micky van de Ven Brace Halts Everton's Run at New Home Ground

Micky van de Ven found the net twice as Tottenham prolonged their unbeaten run in away games in the top division and handed Everton their first defeat at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The Toffees were undefeated in their last five matches at their recently opened stadium at the dockside location, 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 opening 45 minutes to put their impressive record at jeopardy, and they were failed to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by ex-Everton forward the Brazilian - nodded in a final goal to seal the victory.

Jake O'Brien believed he had equalized the scores five minutes after Van de Ven's opener, glancing a powerful header past Guglielmo Vicario from an Everton corner.

Beto, in the meantime, missed a handful of opportunities, while Vicario made a series of fine stops to guarantee the London club went five matches on the road unbeaten in the Premier League.

But the VAR intervened, instructing the match official to check the goal on the screen and the official decided that Jack Grealish and the attacker were in offside positions and had interfered with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

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

Everton stay 14th and sit half a dozen points ahead of the drop zone.

Spurs breakdown: The defender fulfils duties at each end of the field

Following a uninspiring midweek display in the Champions League against the French side, where they mustered a only two shots on target, Frank opted for the French striker up front instead of former Toffees player the Brazilian.

The new arrival was unable to influence the game before being replaced for the substitute after 60 minutes on the field, but it turns out he wasn't needed in the final outcome.

Centre-back the Dutchman converted into an offensive threat to be feared.

Spurs' first goal came from a cleverly executed set-piece play, with the midfielder directing the ball toward the six-yard box for an unmarked the defender to head home.

And Ven de Ven - stepping up as skipper in the Argentine's unavailability - notched his next goal in added time as he rose above Jordan Pickford to head home.

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

Toffees breakdown: Everton lacking striker's instinct

Everton's recent stadium had been a fortress, but it seems the freshness may have worn off somewhat and supporters flocked to the exits after Sarr's final goal for Spurs.

The break in the team's winning streak at home won't be a major concern for the manager, but their attacking woes are.

Beto and Thierno Barry - the Toffees' pair of recognised centre-forwards - had scored just one league goal between them before Sunday's outing.

And they were failed to contribute to that poor tally on a damp and dreary evening on Merseyside.

The striker's performance was epitomized when he opted to bicycle-kick a golden opportunity from near the goal, despite having room and time to reposition for a simpler attempt that would have tested Vicario.

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

It was not for a shortage of opportunity. The majority of Everton's attacks came through the winger and Ndiaye, who relentlessly whipped dangerous crosses into the Tottenham penalty area.

What next for these two sides?

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

Tottenham: Spurs travel to St James' Park on Wednesday, 29 October for their next round Carabao Cup tie against Newcastle.