🔗 Share this article

The Tottenham defender scored twice as Spurs extended their unbeaten run in away games in the top division and handed Everton their initial loss at their new home.

Everton were undefeated in their last five matches at their recently opened stadium at the dockside location, having left their historic home behind after 133 years at the end of last season.

But Spurs captain the Dutchman pounced on two occasions from set-pieces in the opening 45 minutes to place their strong form at jeopardy, and they were unable to turn it around before the midfielder - set up by ex-Everton forward the Brazilian - nodded in a third to seal the victory.

The Everton defender believed he had equalized the tally a short while after the defender's first goal, glancing a powerful header past the Spurs keeper from an set-piece.

The Portuguese striker, in the meantime, missed a handful of chances, while the Italian goalkeeper made a series of fine saves to guarantee the London club went five matches on the road unbeaten in the English top flight.

But the VAR intervened, advising Craig Pawson to check the score on the screen and the official decided that the winger and the attacker were in offside positions and had interfered with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

The win moves the manager's side up to third in the Premier League, five points off north London rivals and table-toppers the Gunners.

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

Tottenham analysis: Van de Ven excels in role at each end of the field

After a drab weekday performance in the Champions League against the French side, where they managed a only two shots on target, the manager chose the French striker in attack instead of former Toffees player Richarlison.

The new arrival was failed to make much of an impact before being replaced for Richarlison after 60 minutes on the pitch, but it emerged he wasn't needed in the final outcome.

Defender the Dutchman converted into an offensive threat to be feared.

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

And the captain - filling in as skipper in Cristian Romero's absence - notched his next goal in added time as he outjumped Jordan Pickford to nod in.

The Dutchman was just as impressive in defence, partnering effectively with Kevin Danso as the duo dealt excellently with the 34 crosses sent their way by Everton.

Toffees breakdown: Toffees missing finishing touch

Everton's new home had been a happy hunting ground, but it seems the freshness may have faded slightly and supporters headed to the gates after Sarr's final goal for Spurs.

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

Beto and the other striker - the Toffees' pair of recognised centre-forwards - had netted just one league goal combined before Sunday's outing.

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

The striker's performance was epitomized when he opted to bicycle-kick a clear chance from near the goal, despite having space and time to reposition for a simpler attempt that would have tested the keeper.

The substitute, as well, failed to influence the game after coming on for Beto in the second half.

It was not for a lack of chance. The majority of the home side's attacks came through Grealish and the forward, who relentlessly whipped dangerous crosses into the Tottenham penalty area.

Upcoming fixtures for these two sides?

The Toffees: Moyes' men travel to the Stadium of Light in the top flight on early November at 20:00 GMT.

Tottenham: Spurs travel to St James' Park on late October for their fourth-round League Cup tie against the Magpies.