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

Everton were unbeaten 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 Tottenham's leader the Dutchman struck twice from corners in the first half to place their strong form at jeopardy, and they were unable to mount a comeback before Pape Matar Sarr - assisted by ex-Everton forward Richarlison - headed home a third to put the game to bed.

The Everton defender believed he had levelled the scores a short while after Van de Ven's opener, glancing a powerful header past the Spurs keeper from an set-piece.

The Portuguese striker, meanwhile, missed a number of opportunities, while Vicario made a succession of fine stops to guarantee Tottenham went five matches on the road without defeat in the English top flight.

But the video assistant referee stepped in, advising the match official to review the goal on the pitchside monitor and the official ruled that Jack Grealish and the attacker were in offside positions and had interfered with the Spurs keeper.

The win moves Thomas Frank's side into third place in the division, five points off local foes and table-toppers Arsenal.

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

Spurs breakdown: The defender excels in role at both ends of pitch

After a drab midweek performance in the Champions League against Monaco, where they managed a only attempts on target, the manager chose the French striker up front instead of ex-Everton forward the Brazilian.

The new arrival was failed to influence the game before being replaced for Richarlison after 60 minutes on the field, but it turns out he proved unnecessary in the final outcome.

Centre-back Van de Ven converted into an offensive threat to be reckoned with.

Tottenham's 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 unavailability - added his second in first-half stoppage time as he rose above Jordan Pickford to head home.

Van de Ven was equally outstanding in defensive duties, partnering effectively with his defensive colleague as the pair dealt superbly with the numerous deliveries thrown their way by the opposition.

Toffees breakdown: Everton missing striker's instinct

The club's new home had been a fortress, but it seems the freshness may have faded slightly and supporters headed to the exits after the midfielder's third for Tottenham.

The break in the team's unbeaten home run will not be a major concern for the manager, but their striker situation will be.

Beto and Thierno Barry - the Toffees' pair of established strikers - had scored only a single goal combined before Sunday's outing.

And they were unable to add to that poor tally on a wet and gloomy evening on Merseyside.

The striker's form was epitomized when he opted to overhead kick a golden opportunity from near the goal, despite having space and time to readjust for a simpler attempt that would have challenged the keeper.

Barry, too, was unable to make an impact after replacing Beto in the second half.

It wasn't for a shortage of chance. The majority of Everton's offensive moves came through the winger and Ndiaye, who relentlessly whipped dangerous balls into the Spurs box.

What next for these two sides?

The Toffees: The team head to Sunderland in the Premier League on Monday, 3 November at 20:00 GMT.

Tottenham: The London club travel to St James' Park on late October for their fourth-round League Cup match against the Magpies.