Van de Ven Brace Halts Everton's Unbeaten Streak at New Stadium

Micky van de Ven scored twice as Tottenham prolonged their winning streak in away games in the top division and handed Everton their initial loss at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton 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 pounced twice from set-pieces in the first half to put their strong form at risk, and they were failed to turn it around before the midfielder - set up by ex-Everton forward Richarlison - headed home a final goal to seal the victory.

The Everton defender thought he had equalized the scores five minutes after the defender's opener, glancing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an Everton corner.

The Portuguese striker, in the meantime, missed a number of chances, while the Italian goalkeeper made a succession of fine stops to ensure Tottenham went five matches on the road unbeaten in the Premier League.

But the VAR stepped in, advising Craig Pawson to review the goal on the pitchside monitor and the official ruled that the winger and Iliman Ndiaye were in offside positions and had impeded with the Spurs keeper.

The win moves the manager's team into third place in the division, a handful of points off local foes and table-toppers the Gunners.

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

Spurs breakdown: The defender excels in duties at each end of pitch

After a drab midweek display in the Champions League against Monaco, where they managed a only attempts on goal, the manager chose Randal Kolo Muani in attack instead of former Toffees player Richarlison.

The summer signing was failed to make much of an impact before being replaced for Richarlison after an hour on the field, but it emerged he wasn't needed in the final outcome.

Centre-back Van de Ven converted into an attacking force to be reckoned with.

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

And Ven de Ven - filling in as skipper in the Argentine's absence - notched his next goal in first-half stoppage time as he outjumped the England keeper to nod in.

Van de Ven was just as outstanding in defence, combining well with his defensive colleague as the duo handled excellently with the 34 crosses thrown their way by Everton.

Toffees breakdown: Everton lacking striker's instinct

The club's recent stadium had been a happy hunting ground, but it seems the novelty may have faded slightly and fans headed to the exits after the midfielder's final goal for Tottenham.

The break in Everton's unbeaten home run won't be a major worry for David Moyes, but their striker situation will be.

Beto and Thierno Barry - the Toffees' pair of recognised centre-forwards - had netted only a single goal between them before Sunday's match.

And they were failed to add to that miserable tally on a wet and gloomy evening on Merseyside.

The striker's performance was epitomized when he chose to overhead kick a golden opportunity from close range, even with having room and time to readjust for a more conventional attempt that would have challenged the keeper.

Barry, too, failed to influence the game after replacing Beto in the second half.

It was not for a lack of opportunity. Most of Everton's offensive moves came through Grealish and Ndiaye, who relentlessly delivered dangerous balls into the Spurs box.

What next for these two sides?

Everton: Moyes' men head to Sunderland in the Premier League on early November at 20:00 GMT.

Spurs: The London club travel to Newcastle's ground on late October for their next round League Cup tie against Newcastle.