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The Tottenham defender scored twice as Spurs prolonged their winning streak on the road in the Premier League and handed the Toffees their initial loss at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The Toffees were undefeated in their five previous fixtures at their new ground at Bramley-Moore Dock, having left Goodison Park behind after 133 years at the end of the previous campaign.

But Spurs captain Van de Ven struck twice from set-pieces in the opening 45 minutes to place their strong form at jeopardy, and they were unable to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - assisted by ex-Everton forward the Brazilian - headed home a third to seal the victory.

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

Beto, meanwhile, missed a handful of chances, while Vicario made a series of excellent stops to guarantee the London club went five away games unbeaten in the Premier League.

But the VAR stepped in, instructing the match official to check the goal on the pitchside monitor and the referee decided that Jack Grealish and the attacker were in offside positions and had impeded with the Spurs keeper.

This victory elevates the manager's side into third place in the division, a handful of points off north London rivals and table-toppers the Gunners.

Everton stay 14th and sit six points ahead of the relegation zone.

Tottenham analysis: Van de Ven excels in role at both ends of the field

After a uninspiring midweek performance in the Champions League against the French side, where they mustered a mere two shots on goal, the manager chose the French striker up front instead of ex-Everton forward the Brazilian.

The new arrival was failed to make much of an impact before being substituted for Richarlison after an hour on the field, but it turns out he wasn't needed in the final outcome.

Defender the Dutchman converted into an offensive threat to be reckoned with.

Spurs' opening strike came from a well-worked corner routine, with the midfielder directing the ball toward the face of goal for an unmarked Van de Ven to head home.

And Ven de Ven - stepping up as skipper in Cristian Romero's unavailability - added his next goal in first-half stoppage time as he outjumped the England keeper to head home.

Van de Ven was just as outstanding in defence, combining well with his defensive colleague as the duo dealt superbly with the 34 crosses sent their way by Everton.

Everton analysis: Toffees missing striker's instinct

The club'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 Spurs.

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

The forward and the other striker - the Toffees' pair of established strikers - had netted only a single goal between them before the weekend's match.

And they were failed to contribute to that miserable record on a damp and dreary night on Merseyside.

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

The substitute, too, failed to make an impact after replacing Beto in the second half.

It was not for a lack of opportunity. Most of Everton's attacks came through Grealish and the forward, who tirelessly delivered threatening crosses into the Tottenham penalty area.

What next for these two sides?

Everton: The team head to Sunderland in the Premier League on Monday, 3 November at 8 PM.

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