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

The Toffees were undefeated in their last five matches at their recently opened stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, having departed Goodison Park behind after 133 years at the end of the previous campaign.

But Spurs captain the Dutchman pounced on two occasions from set-pieces in the opening 45 minutes to put their strong form at risk, and they were failed to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - assisted by ex-Everton forward the Brazilian - headed home a final goal to seal the victory.

Jake O'Brien thought he had levelled the scores a short while after Van de Ven's first goal, directing a powerful header past Guglielmo Vicario from an set-piece.

Beto, meanwhile, failed to convert a handful of opportunities, while the Italian goalkeeper made a series of fine saves to guarantee Tottenham went five matches on the road without defeat in the Premier League.

But the VAR intervened, advising the match official to review the goal on the screen and the official decided that Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye were in offside positions and had impeded with the Spurs keeper.

This victory moves Thomas Frank's team up to third in the division, five points off north London rivals and table-toppers the Gunners.

The Merseyside club remain in 14th position and sit six points clear of the drop zone.

Spurs breakdown: The defender excels in role at each end of pitch

After a drab weekday display in the European competition against the French side, where they managed a mere two shots on target, the manager chose 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 Richarlison after 60 minutes on the field, but it turns out he proved unnecessary in the final outcome.

Defender the Dutchman transformed into an attacking force to be feared.

Tottenham's first goal came from a cleverly executed corner routine, with Rodrigo Bentancur heading the ball toward the six-yard box for an free the defender to score.

And Ven de Ven - filling in as skipper in the Argentine's unavailability - added his next goal in first-half stoppage time as he rose above Jordan Pickford to nod in.

Van de Ven was equally outstanding in defensive duties, partnering well with his defensive colleague as the pair handled excellently with the numerous deliveries sent their way by the opposition.

Toffees breakdown: Toffees lacking striker's instinct

The club's recent stadium had been a fortress, but it appears the freshness may have faded somewhat and supporters headed to the gates after the midfielder's third for Tottenham.

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

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

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

The striker's performance was summed up when he opted to bicycle-kick a golden opportunity from close range, even with having room and time to readjust for a simpler shot that would have challenged the keeper.

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

It was not for a shortage of chance. Most of Everton's offensive moves came through Grealish and the forward, who relentlessly delivered dangerous crosses into the Tottenham penalty area.

What next for both teams?

The Toffees: The team head to the Stadium of Light in the top flight on early November at 20:00 GMT.

Spurs: Spurs go to St James' Park on Wednesday, 29 October for their next round League Cup match against the Magpies.