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The Tottenham defender scored twice as Tottenham prolonged their unbeaten run on the road in the top division and handed the Toffees their first defeat at their new home.

The Toffees were undefeated in their five previous fixtures at their recently opened stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, having departed Goodison Park behind after 133 years at the end of last season.

But Spurs captain the Dutchman pounced twice from set-pieces in the first half to place their impressive record at risk, and they were failed to mount a comeback before the midfielder - set up by ex-Everton forward the Brazilian - nodded in a final goal to seal the victory.

Jake O'Brien thought he had levelled the scores a short while after Van de Ven's opener, directing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an Everton corner.

Beto, meanwhile, missed a number of chances, while the Italian goalkeeper made a succession of fine stops to guarantee the London club went five away games unbeaten in the English top flight.

But the video assistant referee stepped in, instructing the match official to check the goal on the screen and the official decided that Jack Grealish and the attacker were in an illegal position and had interfered with the Spurs keeper.

The win elevates the manager's team up to third in the division, five points off north London rivals and table-toppers Arsenal.

The Merseyside club stay in 14th position and sit half a dozen points clear of the relegation zone.

Spurs breakdown: The defender excels in duties at each end of the field

After a drab weekday display in the European competition against the French side, where they mustered a only two shots on target, the manager chose Randal Kolo Muani up front instead of ex-Everton forward Richarlison.

The summer signing was unable to make much of an impact before being substituted for the substitute after 60 minutes on the field, but it emerged he proved unnecessary in the end.

Centre-back the Dutchman transformed into an attacking force to be feared.

Spurs' first goal came from a cleverly executed set-piece play, with the midfielder heading the ball back across the six-yard box for an unmarked Van de Ven to head home.

And Ven de Ven - stepping up as skipper in the Argentine's unavailability - notched his second in first-half stoppage time as he rose above the England keeper to head home.

The Dutchman was just as impressive in defence, partnering well with Kevin Danso as the pair dealt superbly with the 34 crosses sent their way by the opposition.

Toffees breakdown: Toffees missing striker's instinct

The club's new home had been a fortress, but it appears the freshness may have worn off somewhat and fans headed to the exits after Sarr's final goal for Spurs.

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

The forward and Thierno Barry - the Toffees' pair of established centre-forwards - had scored only one league goal between them before Sunday's outing.

And they were unable to contribute to that miserable record on a wet and gloomy night on Merseyside.

Beto's performance was epitomized when he opted to bicycle-kick a golden opportunity from close range, even with having room and time to reposition for a more conventional attempt that would have challenged Vicario.

Barry, as well, was unable 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 attacks came through Grealish and the forward, who tirelessly delivered threatening balls into the Tottenham box.

Upcoming fixtures for both teams?

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

Spurs: Spurs go to Newcastle's ground on late October for their fourth-round League Cup tie against the Magpies.