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

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

But Tottenham's leader the Dutchman struck twice from set-pieces in the first half to place their impressive record at jeopardy, and they were unable to mount a comeback before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by former Toffees attacker Richarlison - nodded in a third to seal the victory.

Jake O'Brien thought he had levelled the scores five minutes after Van de Ven's opener, directing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an set-piece.

Beto, in the meantime, missed a handful of opportunities, while Vicario made a succession of fine saves to ensure the London club went five away games without defeat in the Premier League.

But the VAR intervened, instructing Craig Pawson to check the goal on the pitchside monitor and the referee ruled that Jack Grealish and the attacker were in an illegal position and had interfered with the Spurs keeper.

The win moves the manager's side into third place in the Premier League, a handful of points off north London rivals and table-toppers the Gunners.

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

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

After a uninspiring midweek display in the European competition against Monaco, where they managed a only two shots on target, the manager opted for Randal Kolo Muani up front instead of ex-Everton forward the Brazilian.

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

Centre-back the Dutchman converted into an attacking force to be reckoned with.

Spurs' opening strike came from a cleverly executed set-piece play, with Rodrigo Bentancur directing the ball back across the face of goal for an unmarked the defender to score.

And the captain - stepping up as captain in the Argentine's unavailability - notched his next goal in first-half stoppage time as he outjumped the England keeper to head home.

The Dutchman was just as impressive in defence, partnering well with his defensive colleague as the pair handled excellently with the 34 crosses thrown their way by Everton.

Toffees breakdown: Toffees missing finishing touch

Everton's recent stadium had been a fortress, but it appears the novelty may have worn off somewhat and fans headed to the exits after the midfielder's third for Tottenham.

The end in Everton's winning streak at home will not be a massive concern for the manager, but their striker situation are.

The forward and Thierno Barry - the Toffees' two established strikers - had netted just one league goal between them before the weekend's match.

And they were failed to add to that miserable record on a wet and gloomy night on Merseyside.

The striker's performance was summed up when he chose to bicycle-kick a golden opportunity from close range, despite having room and time to readjust for a more conventional shot that would have tested the keeper.

The substitute, too, failed to influence the game after replacing Beto in the second half.

It wasn't for a lack of opportunity. Most of the home side's offensive moves came through the winger and the forward, who relentlessly whipped threatening balls into the Tottenham penalty area.

What next for these two sides?

The Toffees: The team head to Sunderland in the Premier League on early November at 8 PM.

Tottenham: The London club travel to St James' Park on late October for their fourth-round League Cup tie against Newcastle.