Micky van de Ven Brace Ends The Toffees' Unbeaten Streak at New Home Ground

Micky van de Ven scored on two occasions as Tottenham prolonged their winning streak on the road in the Premier League and delivered the Toffees their first defeat at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton were unbeaten in their last five matches at their recently opened stadium at the dockside location, having left Goodison Park behind after 133 years at the conclusion of the previous campaign.

But Spurs captain the Dutchman struck twice from corners in the first half to put their impressive record at jeopardy, and they were unable to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by former Toffees attacker Richarlison - nodded in a final goal to put the game to bed.

The Everton defender believed he had equalized the scores a short while after Van de Ven's first goal, directing a powerful header past Guglielmo Vicario from an set-piece.

The Portuguese striker, meanwhile, missed a handful of opportunities, while Vicario made a series of fine stops to ensure Tottenham went five matches on the road unbeaten in the English top flight.

But the VAR intervened, instructing Craig Pawson to check the score on the pitchside monitor and the official ruled that the winger and Iliman Ndiaye were in an illegal position and had interfered with the Spurs keeper.

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

The Merseyside club remain 14th and are six points clear of the drop zone.

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

After a drab weekday performance in the European competition against the French side, where they managed a mere two shots on goal, Frank opted for the French striker up front instead of former Toffees player the Brazilian.

The summer signing was unable to make much of an impact 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 offensive threat to be feared.

Spurs' opening strike came from a cleverly executed corner routine, with the midfielder heading the ball back across the six-yard box for an unmarked the defender to head home.

And the captain - stepping up as skipper in Cristian Romero's unavailability - added his next goal in added time as he outjumped the England keeper to nod in.

Van de Ven was equally outstanding in defence, partnering well with his defensive colleague as the pair handled superbly with the 34 crosses thrown their way by Everton.

Toffees breakdown: Everton missing striker's instinct

The club's recent stadium had been a fortress, but it appears the novelty may have worn off slightly and supporters flocked to the exits after the midfielder's third for Spurs.

The break in the team's winning streak at home will not be a major concern for the manager, but their striker situation will be.

The forward and Thierno Barry - the Everton's pair of recognised strikers - had scored only a single goal between them before Sunday's match.

And they were unable to add to that poor record on a damp and dreary evening on Merseyside.

Beto's performance was epitomized when he chose to bicycle-kick a clear chance from near the goal, despite having space and time to reposition for a simpler shot that would have challenged the keeper.

Barry, too, failed to influence the game after coming on for Beto in the second half.

It was not for a shortage of chance. The majority of the home side's offensive moves came through the winger and the forward, who relentlessly delivered threatening balls into the Tottenham penalty area.

What next for both teams?

The Toffees: The team travel to Sunderland in the top flight on Monday, 3 November at 8 PM.

Spurs: The London club go to Newcastle's ground on late October for their next round Carabao Cup match against the Magpies.