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The Tottenham defender scored twice as Spurs prolonged their unbeaten run on the road in the top division and delivered the Toffees their first defeat at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton were undefeated in their last five matches at their recently opened stadium at the dockside location, having left Goodison Park behind after more than a century at the end of the previous campaign.

But Tottenham's leader Van de Ven pounced on two occasions from corners in the first half to put their strong form at jeopardy, and they were failed to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by former Toffees attacker Richarlison - headed home a third to put the game to bed.

Jake O'Brien believed he had levelled the tally five minutes after the defender's opener, directing a powerful header past Guglielmo Vicario from an set-piece.

Beto, meanwhile, failed to convert a handful of chances, while the Italian goalkeeper made a succession of excellent saves to guarantee Tottenham went five away games unbeaten in the English top flight.

But the video assistant referee intervened, instructing Craig Pawson to check the goal on the pitchside monitor and the official decided that Jack Grealish and the attacker were in an illegal position and had interfered with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

The win moves the manager's team into third place in the division, a handful of 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: Van de Ven fulfils duties at both ends of the field

Following a drab weekday performance in the European competition against the French side, where they managed a mere attempts on goal, the manager opted for the French striker in attack instead of ex-Everton forward Richarlison.

The summer signing was unable to influence the game before being substituted for the substitute after 60 minutes on the pitch, but it turns out he proved unnecessary in the end.

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

Tottenham's first goal came from a well-worked corner routine, with Rodrigo Bentancur directing the ball back across the face of goal for an unmarked Van de Ven to score.

And Ven de Ven - filling in as skipper in the Argentine's absence - notched his second in added time as he outjumped the England keeper to head home.

The Dutchman was equally impressive in defence, combining effectively with Kevin Danso as the pair handled excellently with the numerous deliveries sent their way by Everton.

Everton analysis: Toffees lacking striker's instinct

Everton's new home had been a happy hunting ground, but it appears the novelty may have faded somewhat and supporters flocked to the exits after Sarr's third for Spurs.

The break in Everton's unbeaten home run will not be a massive worry for David Moyes, but their attacking woes are.

The forward and Thierno Barry - the Everton's pair of recognised centre-forwards - had scored just a single goal between them before the weekend's match.

And they were unable to add to that poor record on a damp and dreary night on in Liverpool.

The striker's form was summed up when he opted to overhead kick a clear chance from close range, despite having space and time to reposition for a more conventional attempt that would have challenged the keeper.

Barry, too, was unable to influence the game after coming on for Beto in the second half.

It wasn't for a shortage of opportunity. The majority of Everton's offensive moves came through Grealish and the forward, who tirelessly whipped dangerous crosses into the Spurs penalty area.

Upcoming fixtures for these two sides?

Everton: The team travel to Sunderland in the top flight on early November at 8 PM.

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