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

The Tottenham defender found the net twice as Spurs prolonged their unbeaten run on the road in the top division and handed Everton their first defeat at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton were undefeated in their five previous fixtures at their recently opened stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, having left their historic home behind after more than a century at the end of last season.

But Spurs captain Van de Ven struck on two occasions from set-pieces in the opening 45 minutes to put their strong form at risk, and they were unable to mount a comeback before the midfielder - set up by ex-Everton forward Richarlison - nodded in a third to put the game to bed.

The Everton defender believed he had levelled the scores a short while after Van de Ven's first goal, glancing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an Everton corner.

The Portuguese striker, in the meantime, missed a handful of opportunities, while the Italian goalkeeper made a succession of fine stops to guarantee the London club went five matches on the road without defeat in the English top flight.

But the video assistant referee intervened, instructing Craig Pawson to review the goal on the screen and the official decided that the winger and Iliman Ndiaye were in an illegal position and had interfered with the Spurs keeper.

The win moves Thomas Frank's team into third place in the division, five points off local foes and leaders Arsenal.

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

Tottenham analysis: The defender excels in role at each end of the field

Following a uninspiring midweek display in the Champions League against the French side, where they mustered a mere attempts on goal, 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 replaced for the substitute after an hour on the field, but it emerged he proved unnecessary in the final outcome.

Centre-back the Dutchman transformed into an offensive threat to be reckoned with.

Spurs' first goal came from a well-worked corner routine, with the midfielder heading the ball back across the six-yard box for an unmarked the defender to head home.

And Ven de Ven - filling in as skipper in Cristian Romero's absence - notched his next goal in added time as he rose above the England keeper to nod in.

The Dutchman was just as outstanding in defence, partnering effectively with Kevin Danso as the duo dealt excellently with the numerous deliveries sent their way by Everton.

Toffees breakdown: Everton lacking striker's instinct

Everton's recent stadium had been a fortress, but it appears the freshness may have worn off slightly and fans headed to the gates after the midfielder's final goal for Spurs.

The end in the team's unbeaten home run will not be a massive worry for the manager, but their attacking woes will be.

Beto and the other striker - the Toffees' pair of established strikers - had netted just one league goal combined before the weekend's match.

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

Beto's form was epitomized when he chose to overhead kick a clear chance from near the goal, despite having room and time to reposition for a more conventional shot that would have tested the keeper.

Barry, as well, failed to make an impact after replacing Beto in the second half.

It wasn't for a lack of opportunity. Most of Everton's attacks came through Grealish and Ndiaye, who tirelessly whipped threatening balls into the Tottenham box.

Upcoming fixtures for both teams?

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

Tottenham: The London club travel to St James' Park on late October for their next round League Cup match against the Magpies.