Van de Ven Double Ends Everton's Run at New Home Ground

Micky van de Ven found the net on two occasions as Spurs prolonged their winning streak on the road in the top division and delivered Everton their initial loss at their new home.

Everton were unbeaten in their five previous fixtures 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 Tottenham's leader Van de Ven pounced twice from set-pieces 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 the Brazilian - nodded in a third to seal the victory.

The Everton defender thought he had equalized the tally a short while after Van de Ven's opener, directing a powerful header past the Spurs keeper from an Everton corner.

Beto, in the meantime, missed a number of chances, while the Italian goalkeeper made a series of fine saves to ensure Tottenham went five matches on the road without defeat in the Premier League.

But the VAR stepped in, instructing the match official to check the goal on the screen and the referee ruled that the winger and the attacker were in an illegal position and had interfered with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

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

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

Tottenham analysis: The defender excels in role at both ends of pitch

Following a drab midweek display in the European competition against the French side, where they managed a mere two shots on target, the manager opted for Randal Kolo Muani up front instead of former Toffees player Richarlison.

The new arrival was failed 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 end.

Centre-back the Dutchman transformed into an attacking force to be feared.

Tottenham's first goal came from a well-worked set-piece play, with Rodrigo Bentancur directing the ball back across the face of goal for an unmarked the defender to score.

And Ven de Ven - filling in as captain 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 defensive duties, combining well with Kevin Danso as the duo dealt superbly with the 34 crosses thrown their way by Everton.

Toffees breakdown: Toffees missing striker's instinct

The club's recent stadium had been a fortress, but it appears the freshness may have faded slightly and supporters headed to the exits after Sarr's final goal for Tottenham.

The end in Everton's unbeaten home run won't be a massive concern for the manager, but their attacking woes will be.

The forward and the other striker - the Toffees' pair of established strikers - had scored just a single goal combined before Sunday's outing.

And they were failed to contribute to that poor tally on a wet and gloomy night on in Liverpool.

The striker's form was summed up when he opted to bicycle-kick a golden opportunity from near the goal, despite having room and time to readjust for a simpler shot that would have tested the keeper.

The substitute, as well, was unable to make an impact after replacing the starter in the 65th minute.

It wasn't for a lack of opportunity. Most of Everton's attacks came through the winger and Ndiaye, who relentlessly delivered dangerous balls into the Spurs penalty area.

Upcoming fixtures for these two sides?

Everton: The team head to the Stadium of Light in the Premier League on early November at 20:00 GMT.

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