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The Tottenham defender found the net on two occasions as Spurs prolonged their unbeaten run in away games in the Premier League and handed Everton their initial loss at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton were undefeated in their five previous fixtures at their new ground at the dockside location, having departed their historic home behind after 133 years at the conclusion of the previous campaign.

But Tottenham's leader Van de Ven struck twice from set-pieces in the first half to place their impressive record at risk, and they were unable to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by former Toffees attacker the Brazilian - headed home a third to seal the victory.

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

The Portuguese striker, in the meantime, missed a number of chances, while the Italian goalkeeper made a succession of excellent saves to guarantee Tottenham went five matches on the road unbeaten in the English top flight.

But the video assistant referee intervened, instructing Craig Pawson to check the score on the screen and the official decided that Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye were in an illegal position and had impeded with the Spurs keeper.

The win moves the manager's side up to third in the division, five points off north London rivals and table-toppers Arsenal.

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

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

After a drab midweek display in the Champions League against Monaco, where they mustered a mere two shots on target, the manager chose the French striker up front instead of ex-Everton forward Richarlison.

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

Defender Van de Ven converted into an attacking force to be feared.

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

And the captain - stepping up as captain in Cristian Romero's absence - notched his next goal in first-half stoppage time as he outjumped Jordan Pickford to nod in.

Van de Ven was just as impressive in defensive duties, combining well with his defensive colleague as the duo handled excellently with the 34 crosses sent their way by the opposition.

Everton analysis: Everton lacking striker's instinct

The club's recent stadium had been a fortress, but it seems the freshness may have faded slightly and supporters headed to the exits after Sarr's final goal for Tottenham.

The break in Everton's winning streak at home will not be a massive worry for David Moyes, but their striker situation are.

Beto and Thierno Barry - the Toffees' pair of recognised centre-forwards - had scored just one league goal between them before the weekend's match.

And they were failed to add to that poor tally on a wet and gloomy evening on in Liverpool.

The striker's form was epitomized when he opted to overhead kick a clear chance from near the goal, even with having space and opportunity to reposition for a simpler shot that would have challenged Vicario.

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

It was not for a lack of opportunity. The majority of Everton's offensive moves came through the winger and Ndiaye, who tirelessly delivered threatening crosses into the Spurs penalty area.

What next for these two sides?

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

Tottenham: Spurs go to St James' Park on late October for their fourth-round Carabao Cup tie against Newcastle.