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The Tottenham defender scored on two occasions as Spurs prolonged their unbeaten run in away games in the top division and delivered the Toffees their initial loss at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton were unbeaten in their five previous fixtures at their recently opened stadium at the dockside location, having departed Goodison Park behind after 133 years at the end of the previous campaign.

But Tottenham's leader the Dutchman struck twice from set-pieces in the first half to place their strong form at risk, and they were unable to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by ex-Everton forward the Brazilian - nodded in a third to seal the victory.

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

Beto, meanwhile, missed a handful of opportunities, while Vicario made a series of excellent saves to guarantee Tottenham went five matches on the road unbeaten in the English top flight.

But the video assistant referee intervened, advising the match official to check the score on the screen and the official ruled that Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye were in offside positions and had interfered with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

The win moves Thomas Frank's side up to third in the division, five points off local foes and leaders the Gunners.

The Merseyside club remain 14th and are six points ahead of the relegation zone.

Spurs breakdown: The defender fulfils role at each end of pitch

Following a drab midweek performance in the Champions League against the French side, where they managed a only attempts on goal, Frank opted for Randal Kolo Muani up front instead of former Toffees player the Brazilian.

The summer signing was failed to influence the game before being replaced for the substitute after 60 minutes on the field, but it emerged he wasn't needed in the final outcome.

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

Tottenham's opening strike came from a cleverly executed set-piece play, with Rodrigo Bentancur directing the ball back across the six-yard box for an unmarked Van de Ven to score.

And the captain - filling in as skipper in the Argentine's unavailability - notched his next goal in first-half stoppage time as he outjumped the England keeper to nod in.

The Dutchman was equally impressive in defensive duties, partnering effectively with Kevin Danso as the duo dealt superbly with the 34 crosses thrown their way by the opposition.

Toffees breakdown: Everton lacking finishing touch

Everton's new home had been a fortress, but it appears the freshness may have faded somewhat and fans flocked to the gates after the midfielder's final goal for Spurs.

The break in the team's unbeaten home run will not be a massive concern for the manager, but their attacking woes are.

The forward and Thierno Barry - the Toffees' two established strikers - had netted just a single goal combined before Sunday's outing.

And they were failed to add to that miserable record on a damp and dreary evening on Merseyside.

Beto's form was summed up when he chose to overhead kick a clear chance from close range, despite having room and opportunity to reposition for a more conventional attempt that would have tested the keeper.

The substitute, as well, was unable to make an impact after replacing the starter in the second half.

It was not for a shortage of chance. Most of the home side's offensive moves came through Grealish and the forward, who tirelessly whipped dangerous crosses into the Spurs box.

What next for both teams?

Everton: The team travel to the Stadium of Light in the top flight on Monday, 3 November at 20:00 GMT.

Tottenham: Spurs go to Newcastle's ground on late October for their fourth-round League Cup match against Newcastle.