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

The Tottenham defender scored on two occasions as Spurs prolonged their unbeaten run in away games in the Premier League and delivered Everton their first defeat at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The Toffees were unbeaten in their last five matches at their recently opened stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, having left Goodison Park behind after 133 years at the end of last season.

But Spurs captain the Dutchman pounced twice from corners in the opening 45 minutes to put their strong form at jeopardy, and they were failed to mount a comeback before the midfielder - assisted by ex-Everton forward the Brazilian - nodded in a final goal to seal the victory.

Jake O'Brien thought he had levelled the tally five minutes after Van de Ven's opener, glancing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an set-piece.

The Portuguese striker, meanwhile, missed a handful of chances, while the Italian goalkeeper made a succession of excellent stops to guarantee the London club went five away games without defeat in the Premier League.

But the VAR stepped in, instructing the match official to check the score on the pitchside monitor and the official decided that Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye were in offside positions and had impeded with the Spurs keeper.

This victory elevates Thomas Frank's team up to third in the division, five points off north London rivals and table-toppers the Gunners.

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

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

After a drab weekday performance in the Champions League against Monaco, where they mustered a only attempts on goal, the manager opted for Randal Kolo Muani in attack instead of ex-Everton forward Richarlison.

The summer signing was failed to influence the game before being substituted for the substitute after 60 minutes on the field, but it emerged he proved unnecessary in the end.

Defender Van de Ven transformed into an offensive threat to be feared.

Spurs' first goal came from a cleverly executed set-piece play, with the midfielder directing the ball back across the six-yard box for an free Van de Ven to head home.

And Ven de Ven - filling in as skipper in Cristian Romero's absence - notched his second in added time as he outjumped Jordan Pickford to head home.

Van de Ven was equally impressive in defensive duties, combining effectively with his defensive colleague as the pair handled excellently with the 34 crosses thrown their way by Everton.

Everton analysis: Everton missing finishing touch

Everton's recent stadium had been a happy hunting ground, but it appears the freshness may have faded somewhat and supporters headed to the exits after Sarr's third for Spurs.

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

The forward and Thierno Barry - the Toffees' pair of established centre-forwards - had scored only a single goal combined before Sunday's match.

And they were unable to add to that miserable tally on a damp and dreary evening on Merseyside.

The striker's performance was summed up when he chose to overhead kick a golden opportunity from near the goal, even with having space and time to reposition for a more conventional attempt that would have challenged the keeper.

Barry, too, failed to make an impact after coming on for the starter in the 65th minute.

It wasn't for a shortage of chance. Most of Everton's attacks came through Grealish and Ndiaye, who tirelessly whipped dangerous crosses into the Spurs box.

Upcoming fixtures for both teams?

Everton: Moyes' men travel to the Stadium of Light in the Premier League on early November at 8 PM.

Spurs: The London club travel to St James' Park on late October for their fourth-round Carabao Cup tie against Newcastle.