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The Tottenham defender found the net twice as Tottenham extended their unbeaten run in away games in the top division and delivered the Toffees their initial loss at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The Toffees were unbeaten in their last five matches at their new ground at the dockside location, having departed their historic home behind after 133 years at the end of last season.

But Spurs captain Van de Ven pounced on two occasions from set-pieces in the opening 45 minutes to place their strong form at jeopardy, and they were unable to turn it around before the midfielder - set up by ex-Everton forward the Brazilian - nodded in a final goal to put the game to bed.

The Everton defender thought he had equalized the tally a short while after Van de Ven's opener, directing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an Everton corner.

Beto, meanwhile, failed to convert a number of chances, while Vicario made a series of excellent stops to guarantee Tottenham went five away games without defeat in the English top flight.

But the VAR intervened, instructing the match official to check the goal on the screen and the official decided that Jack Grealish and the attacker were in offside positions and had impeded with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

This victory moves the manager's side into third place in the Premier League, a handful of points off north London rivals and leaders the Gunners.

The Merseyside club remain 14th and are half a dozen points ahead of the drop zone.

Tottenham analysis: Van de Ven fulfils role at each end of the field

Following a uninspiring midweek performance in the European competition against Monaco, where they managed a only two shots on goal, the manager chose the French striker in attack instead of former Toffees player Richarlison.

The new arrival was unable to make much of an impact before being substituted for the substitute after 60 minutes on the field, but it turns out he proved unnecessary in the final outcome.

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

Tottenham's opening strike came from a well-worked set-piece play, with the midfielder heading the ball toward the six-yard box for an free the defender to score.

And Ven de Ven - stepping up as captain in Cristian Romero's absence - notched his second in first-half stoppage time as he outjumped Jordan Pickford to head home.

Van de Ven was equally outstanding in defensive duties, combining effectively with Kevin Danso as the duo handled superbly with the numerous deliveries sent their way by Everton.

Toffees breakdown: Everton lacking striker's instinct

The club's new home had been a fortress, but it appears the freshness may have worn off slightly and supporters headed to the gates after Sarr's final goal for Tottenham.

The break in Everton's winning streak at home won't be a major worry for the manager, but their attacking woes will be.

Beto and the other striker - the Toffees' pair of established centre-forwards - had netted only one league goal between them before the weekend's outing.

And they were failed to contribute to that miserable tally on a damp and dreary evening on Merseyside.

The striker's form was epitomized when he opted to bicycle-kick a golden opportunity from near the goal, even with having room and time to reposition for a simpler shot that would have challenged the keeper.

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

It wasn't for a shortage of opportunity. Most of the home side's attacks came through Grealish and the forward, who tirelessly whipped dangerous balls into the Spurs box.

What next for these two sides?

Everton: The team travel to Sunderland in the top flight on early November at 20:00 GMT.

Spurs: Spurs go to St James' Park on late October for their next round League Cup match against the Magpies.