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The Tottenham defender found the net twice as Spurs prolonged their winning streak on the road in the Premier League and handed the Toffees their initial loss at their new home.

Everton were undefeated in their last five matches at their recently opened stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, having left their historic home behind after 133 years at the conclusion of the previous campaign.

But Spurs captain Van de Ven struck twice from set-pieces in the first half to put their impressive record at jeopardy, and they were failed to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by former Toffees attacker the Brazilian - nodded in a final goal to put the game to bed.

The Everton defender believed he had levelled the scores a short while after Van de Ven's opener, glancing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an set-piece.

The Portuguese striker, meanwhile, missed a handful of chances, while Vicario made a series of excellent stops to guarantee Tottenham went five matches on the road unbeaten in the English top flight.

But the video assistant referee intervened, instructing Craig Pawson to review the score on the screen and the referee decided that Jack Grealish and the attacker were in an illegal position and had interfered with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

This victory moves Thomas Frank's team into third place in the division, a handful of points off local foes and leaders Arsenal.

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

Tottenham analysis: Van de Ven excels in role at each end of the field

Following a drab weekday display in the Champions League against the French side, where they managed a only two shots on goal, Frank opted for the French striker up front instead of ex-Everton forward the Brazilian.

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

Centre-back the Dutchman converted into an offensive threat to be feared.

Tottenham's opening strike came from a cleverly executed set-piece play, with the midfielder directing the ball back across the face of goal for an free the defender to head home.

And the captain - stepping up as skipper in the Argentine's unavailability - notched his next goal in first-half stoppage time as he rose above Jordan Pickford to head home.

Van de Ven was just as impressive in defensive duties, partnering well with Kevin Danso as the duo dealt superbly with the 34 crosses sent their way by Everton.

Toffees breakdown: Everton missing striker's instinct

Everton's new home had been a fortress, but it appears the novelty may have worn off slightly and fans headed to the exits after Sarr's third for Spurs.

The end in the team's winning streak at home won't be a major concern for David Moyes, but their striker situation are.

The forward and the other striker - the Toffees' two established centre-forwards - had scored only one league goal between them before Sunday's match.

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

Beto's performance was epitomized when he opted to overhead kick a golden opportunity from near the goal, even with having room and time to reposition for a more conventional attempt that would have challenged the keeper.

Barry, as well, was unable to influence the game after coming on for the starter in the 65th minute.

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

What next for these two sides?

Everton: Moyes' men head to the Stadium of Light in the top flight on Monday, 3 November at 8 PM.

Tottenham: Spurs travel to St James' Park on late October for their fourth-round League Cup tie against Newcastle.