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The Tottenham defender found the net twice as Tottenham prolonged their winning streak in away games in the top division and handed the Toffees 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 left Goodison Park behind after more than a century at the conclusion of last season.

But Spurs captain Van de Ven struck on two occasions from corners in the first half to put their strong form at jeopardy, and they were failed to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by ex-Everton forward Richarlison - nodded in a third to put the game to bed.

The Everton defender thought he had levelled the scores a short while after the defender's first goal, directing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an Everton corner.

The Portuguese striker, in the meantime, missed a number of chances, while Vicario made a series of fine stops to ensure Tottenham went five matches on the road unbeaten in the English top flight.

But the video assistant referee stepped in, instructing Craig Pawson to check the goal on the screen and the referee ruled that Jack Grealish and the attacker were in an illegal position and had interfered with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

The win elevates Thomas Frank's team into third place in the division, five points off local foes and table-toppers Arsenal.

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

Tottenham analysis: The defender excels in role at both ends of pitch

After a uninspiring midweek display in the European competition against the French side, where they mustered a mere attempts on goal, the manager opted for Randal Kolo Muani up front instead of former Toffees player Richarlison.

The new arrival was failed to influence the game before being substituted for Richarlison after an hour on the field, but it emerged he wasn't needed in the end.

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

Spurs' first goal came from a cleverly executed corner routine, with Rodrigo Bentancur heading the ball back across the six-yard box for an free Van de Ven to score.

And the captain - filling in as skipper in the Argentine's absence - added his second in first-half stoppage time as he rose above the England keeper to head home.

Van de Ven was equally outstanding in defensive duties, partnering effectively with his defensive colleague as the pair dealt excellently with the numerous deliveries thrown their way by Everton.

Everton analysis: Everton missing 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 the midfielder's final goal for Tottenham.

The end in the team's unbeaten home run will not be a massive worry for David Moyes, but their attacking woes are.

Beto and Thierno Barry - the Everton's two recognised centre-forwards - had scored only one league goal between them before the weekend's match.

And they were unable to contribute to that miserable tally on a damp and dreary night on Merseyside.

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

Barry, too, was unable to make an impact after replacing the starter in the second half.

It was not for a shortage of chance. Most of the home side's offensive moves came through Grealish and Ndiaye, who relentlessly delivered dangerous balls into the Tottenham box.

Upcoming fixtures for these two sides?

The Toffees: Moyes' men travel to the Stadium of Light in the top flight on early November at 20:00 GMT.

Tottenham: The London club go to Newcastle's ground on late October for their next round League Cup tie against Newcastle.