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The Tottenham defender scored twice as Spurs extended their unbeaten run in away games in the Premier League and handed the Toffees their initial loss at their new home.

Everton were unbeaten in their last five matches at their recently opened stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, having departed Goodison Park behind after 133 years at the conclusion of the previous campaign.

But Tottenham's leader Van de Ven pounced 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 ex-Everton forward Richarlison - nodded in a final goal to put the game to bed.

Jake O'Brien thought he had levelled the tally five minutes after Van de Ven's opener, directing a powerful header past Guglielmo Vicario from an Everton corner.

The Portuguese striker, meanwhile, failed to convert a handful of chances, while Vicario made a series of fine stops to guarantee the London club went five matches on the road unbeaten in the English top flight.

But the VAR intervened, advising the match official to check the goal on the pitchside monitor and the official decided that Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye were in an illegal position and had interfered with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

The win elevates Thomas Frank's side into third place in the Premier League, five points off local foes and table-toppers the Gunners.

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

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

After a uninspiring weekday performance in the Champions League against Monaco, where they mustered a only attempts on target, Frank chose the French striker up front instead of ex-Everton forward the Brazilian.

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 final outcome.

Centre-back the Dutchman converted into an attacking force to be reckoned with.

Tottenham's first goal came from a well-worked corner routine, with Rodrigo Bentancur directing the ball toward the face of goal for an unmarked Van de Ven to score.

And Ven de Ven - filling in as skipper in Cristian Romero's unavailability - notched his second in first-half stoppage time as he outjumped the England keeper to nod in.

The Dutchman was equally outstanding in defence, partnering effectively with his defensive colleague as the duo handled excellently with the 34 crosses thrown their way by Everton.

Everton analysis: Toffees missing finishing touch

The club's recent stadium had been a fortress, but it seems the freshness may have worn off slightly and supporters headed to the gates after Sarr's final goal for Spurs.

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

Beto and the other striker - the Toffees' pair of established strikers - had scored only one league goal between them before the weekend's match.

And they were failed to add to that miserable record on a damp and dreary night on Merseyside.

The striker's performance was epitomized when he opted to overhead kick a clear chance from close range, even with having room and opportunity to readjust for a more conventional attempt that would have challenged the keeper.

The substitute, as well, failed to influence the game after coming on for the starter in the second half.

It wasn't for a lack of chance. The majority of the home side's attacks came through the winger and the forward, who relentlessly whipped dangerous crosses into the Spurs penalty area.

What next for both teams?

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

Tottenham: The London club go to St James' Park on late October for their next round League Cup match against Newcastle.