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The Tottenham defender scored twice as Spurs prolonged their unbeaten run in away games in the Premier League and handed the Toffees their initial loss at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton 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 last season.

But Tottenham's leader the Dutchman struck on two occasions from set-pieces in the opening 45 minutes to place their impressive record at risk, and they were failed to mount a comeback before Pape Matar Sarr - assisted by ex-Everton forward Richarlison - nodded in a final goal to put the game to bed.

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

Beto, in the meantime, missed a handful of chances, while the Italian goalkeeper made a succession of excellent stops to guarantee Tottenham went five matches on the road unbeaten in the Premier League.

But the video assistant referee stepped in, instructing Craig Pawson to check the score on the screen and the official ruled that Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye were in an illegal position and had impeded with the Spurs keeper.

The win moves the manager's team up to third in the Premier League, a handful of points off north London rivals and table-toppers Arsenal.

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

Tottenham analysis: Van de Ven fulfils duties at both ends of the field

After a drab midweek performance in the Champions League against Monaco, where they mustered a mere two shots on target, Frank opted for the French striker in attack instead of former Toffees player the Brazilian.

The summer signing was unable to influence the game before being substituted for Richarlison after 60 minutes on the pitch, but it emerged he proved unnecessary in the final outcome.

Centre-back Van de Ven converted into an offensive threat to be reckoned with.

Tottenham's opening strike came from a cleverly executed corner routine, with Rodrigo Bentancur directing the ball back across the face of goal for an unmarked Van de Ven to score.

And the captain - filling in as skipper in Cristian Romero's unavailability - added his next goal in added time as he rose above Jordan Pickford to head home.

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

Toffees breakdown: Toffees missing finishing touch

The club's recent stadium had been a happy hunting ground, but it seems the freshness may have faded somewhat and fans headed to the gates after Sarr's final goal for Tottenham.

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

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

And they were failed to contribute to that poor tally on a damp and dreary evening on Merseyside.

Beto's form was summed up when he chose to bicycle-kick a clear chance from close range, even with having space and opportunity to readjust for a simpler shot that would have tested the keeper.

The substitute, as well, failed to influence the game after replacing the starter in the 65th minute.

It wasn't for a lack of opportunity. The majority of the home side's attacks came through Grealish and Ndiaye, who tirelessly whipped threatening crosses into the Tottenham box.

Upcoming fixtures for these two sides?

Everton: The team travel to the Stadium of Light in the Premier League on Monday, 3 November at 20:00 GMT.

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