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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.

Everton were undefeated in their five previous fixtures at their new ground at Bramley-Moore Dock, having left Goodison Park behind after more than a century at the conclusion of the previous campaign.

But Tottenham's leader the Dutchman struck twice from set-pieces in the opening 45 minutes to place their strong form at jeopardy, and they were failed to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by ex-Everton forward Richarlison - headed home a final goal to put the game to bed.

The Everton defender believed he had equalized the tally five minutes after Van de Ven's first goal, directing a bullet header past the Spurs keeper from an set-piece.

The Portuguese striker, meanwhile, failed to convert a number of opportunities, while the Italian goalkeeper made a succession of excellent stops to ensure the London club went five matches on the road without defeat in the Premier League.

But the VAR intervened, advising Craig Pawson to review the goal on the screen and the referee decided that Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye were in an illegal position and had impeded with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

This victory elevates Thomas Frank's side into third place in the Premier League, a handful of points off north London rivals and table-toppers Arsenal.

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

Spurs breakdown: The defender excels in role at both ends of the field

After a uninspiring weekday display in the European competition against the French side, where they mustered a mere attempts on target, Frank chose the French striker in attack instead of ex-Everton forward Richarlison.

The summer signing was failed to influence the game before being substituted for the substitute after an hour on the pitch, but it emerged he proved unnecessary in the final outcome.

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

Tottenham's opening strike came from a well-worked corner routine, with Rodrigo Bentancur directing the ball back across the six-yard box for an unmarked Van de Ven to head home.

And Ven de Ven - filling in as skipper in Cristian Romero's absence - notched his next goal in added time as he outjumped Jordan Pickford to nod in.

Van de Ven was just as outstanding in defence, partnering well with his defensive colleague as the duo handled superbly with the 34 crosses thrown their way by the opposition.

Toffees breakdown: Everton lacking striker's instinct

The club's new home had been a fortress, but it appears the novelty may have faded slightly and supporters headed to the exits after Sarr's final goal for Spurs.

The end in the team's unbeaten home run won't be a major concern for the manager, but their striker situation will be.

The forward and the other striker - the Toffees' two established strikers - had netted just a single goal combined before the weekend's match.

And they were unable to add to that miserable record on a wet and gloomy evening on in Liverpool.

The striker's performance was epitomized when he opted to overhead kick a clear chance from near the goal, even with having room and opportunity to readjust for a more conventional attempt that would have challenged the keeper.

Barry, too, failed to make an impact after coming on for Beto in the second half.

It wasn't for a lack of chance. The majority of the home side's offensive moves came through Grealish and the forward, who tirelessly delivered threatening balls into the Spurs penalty area.

What next for these two sides?

The Toffees: Moyes' men head to Sunderland in the Premier League on Monday, 3 November at 8 PM.

Tottenham: Spurs go to Newcastle's ground on late October for their next round Carabao Cup match against the Magpies.