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The Tottenham defender found the net twice as Spurs extended their unbeaten run on the road in the top division and delivered the Toffees their initial loss at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The Toffees were unbeaten 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 the previous campaign.

But Spurs captain the Dutchman struck twice from corners in the first half to place their strong form at risk, and they were unable to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - assisted by former Toffees attacker the Brazilian - nodded in a third to put the game to bed.

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

Beto, meanwhile, missed a number of opportunities, while the Italian goalkeeper made a series of fine saves to guarantee the London club went five matches on the road without defeat in the English top flight.

But the video assistant referee intervened, instructing the match official to review the score on the screen and the official ruled that the winger and Iliman Ndiaye were in offside positions and had interfered with the Spurs keeper.

The win moves Thomas Frank's team up to third in the Premier League, five points off north London rivals and leaders the Gunners.

The Merseyside club remain 14th and are six points ahead of the relegation zone.

Spurs breakdown: Van de Ven fulfils duties at each end of pitch

Following a uninspiring midweek performance in the Champions League against the French side, where they mustered a mere two shots on goal, Frank opted for the French striker up front instead of former Toffees player the Brazilian.

The summer signing was failed to make much of an impact before being substituted for Richarlison after 60 minutes on the pitch, but it emerged he wasn't needed in the end.

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

Tottenham's first goal came from a well-worked set-piece play, with the midfielder heading the ball back across the six-yard box for an unmarked the defender to score.

And the captain - stepping up as skipper in the Argentine's absence - added his next goal in added time as he rose above the England keeper to head home.

The Dutchman was equally outstanding in defensive duties, combining effectively with his defensive colleague as the pair handled excellently with the numerous deliveries thrown their way by the opposition.

Toffees breakdown: Toffees lacking striker's instinct

The club's recent stadium had been a fortress, but it appears the novelty may have worn off somewhat and supporters headed to the gates after the midfielder's third for Spurs.

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

The forward and Thierno Barry - the Everton's pair of recognised centre-forwards - had scored just a single goal between them before Sunday's outing.

And they were unable to contribute to that poor tally on a damp and dreary night on in Liverpool.

The striker's form was epitomized when he chose to bicycle-kick a clear chance from near the goal, even with having space and opportunity to reposition for a more conventional shot that would have tested the keeper.

The substitute, as well, failed to make an impact after coming on for Beto in the second half.

It wasn't for a shortage of opportunity. The majority of Everton's offensive moves came through Grealish and Ndiaye, who relentlessly delivered dangerous crosses into the Spurs penalty area.

Upcoming fixtures for both teams?

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

Spurs: The London club go to St James' Park on Wednesday, 29 October for their fourth-round Carabao Cup tie against Newcastle.