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Micky van de Ven found the net twice as Spurs prolonged their unbeaten run on the road in the top division and handed Everton their initial loss at their new home.

The Toffees were undefeated in their last five matches at their recently opened stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, having departed their historic home behind after 133 years at the conclusion of the previous campaign.

But Spurs captain Van de Ven struck on two occasions from set-pieces in the first half to put their strong form at jeopardy, and they were failed to mount a comeback before Pape Matar Sarr - assisted by former Toffees attacker Richarlison - nodded in a final goal to put the game to bed.

The Everton defender believed he had equalized 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, meanwhile, missed a handful of opportunities, while Vicario made a succession of fine stops to ensure the London club went five away games without defeat in the English top flight.

But the VAR stepped in, advising Craig Pawson to review the goal on the pitchside monitor and the referee ruled that Jack Grealish and the attacker were in an illegal position and had impeded with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

The win moves Thomas Frank's side up to third in the division, five points off north London rivals and table-toppers Arsenal.

The Merseyside club remain in 14th position and sit six points ahead of the relegation zone.

Tottenham analysis: Van de Ven excels in duties at both ends of pitch

Following a drab midweek performance in the Champions League against Monaco, where they managed a mere attempts on target, the manager opted for Randal Kolo Muani in attack instead of former Toffees player Richarlison.

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

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

Spurs' opening strike came from a cleverly executed corner routine, with the midfielder directing the ball back across the six-yard box for an free Van de Ven to head home.

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

Van de Ven was equally impressive in defensive duties, partnering well with Kevin Danso as the pair handled superbly with the 34 crosses thrown their way by Everton.

Everton analysis: Toffees missing finishing touch

Everton's new home had been a happy hunting ground, but it seems the novelty may have faded slightly and supporters headed to the exits after Sarr's third for Tottenham.

The break in Everton's unbeaten home run won't be a major worry for the manager, but their striker situation are.

Beto and the other striker - the Everton's two recognised strikers - had netted only a single goal combined before the weekend's match.

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

Beto's form was epitomized when he opted to overhead kick a clear chance from near the goal, despite having room and time to readjust for a simpler attempt that would have challenged Vicario.

The substitute, as well, failed to make an impact after coming on for Beto in the 65th minute.

It was not for a shortage of chance. Most of Everton's attacks came through the winger and Ndiaye, who tirelessly delivered dangerous crosses into the Spurs penalty area.

What next for these two sides?

The Toffees: Moyes' men head to the Stadium of Light in the Premier League on early November at 20:00 GMT.

Tottenham: Spurs go to St James' Park on Wednesday, 29 October for their next round League Cup tie against Newcastle.