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The Tottenham defender scored on two occasions as Tottenham prolonged their winning streak on the road in the top division and handed the Toffees 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 more than a century at the end of last season.

But Spurs captain the Dutchman struck twice from set-pieces in the first half to put their impressive record at jeopardy, and they were unable to mount a comeback before Pape Matar Sarr - assisted by ex-Everton forward the Brazilian - nodded in a final goal to put the game to bed.

Jake O'Brien believed he had equalized the scores a short while after Van de Ven's opener, glancing a powerful header past Guglielmo Vicario from an Everton corner.

The Portuguese striker, in the meantime, failed to convert a handful of opportunities, while Vicario made a succession of fine saves to guarantee Tottenham went five away games unbeaten in the Premier League.

But the VAR stepped in, advising the match official 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 impeded with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

This victory moves the manager's side into third place in the division, five points off north London rivals and leaders the Gunners.

The Merseyside club remain 14th and sit six points ahead of the drop zone.

Tottenham analysis: The defender excels in role at each end of the field

Following a drab midweek display in the Champions League against the French side, where they mustered a mere attempts on goal, the manager chose Randal Kolo Muani in attack instead of former Toffees player the Brazilian.

The summer signing was unable to influence the game before being replaced for the substitute after an hour on the field, but it emerged he wasn't needed in the end.

Centre-back the Dutchman transformed into an offensive threat to be reckoned with.

Tottenham's opening strike came from a well-worked set-piece play, with the midfielder directing the ball back across the face of goal for an unmarked Van de Ven to score.

And Ven de Ven - stepping up as captain in the Argentine's absence - added his second in added time as he rose above the England keeper to nod in.

Van de Ven was equally impressive in defensive duties, partnering effectively with his defensive colleague as the duo handled superbly with the numerous deliveries sent their way by the opposition.

Everton analysis: Toffees lacking striker's instinct

Everton's recent stadium had been a fortress, but it appears the novelty may have faded somewhat and supporters headed to the gates after Sarr's third for Spurs.

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

Beto and Thierno Barry - the Everton's two recognised strikers - had netted only a single goal combined before Sunday's match.

And they were unable to contribute 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 clear chance from near the goal, despite having room and time to reposition for a simpler shot that would have challenged Vicario.

The substitute, too, was unable to influence the game after replacing the starter in the second half.

It was not for a lack of opportunity. Most of the home side's offensive moves came through the winger and the forward, who tirelessly delivered threatening balls into the Tottenham penalty area.

Upcoming fixtures for these two sides?

Everton: The team travel to Sunderland in the Premier League on early November at 20:00 GMT.

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