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The Tottenham defender scored on two occasions as Tottenham prolonged their unbeaten run in away games in the Premier League and delivered the Toffees their first defeat at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The Toffees were unbeaten in their last five matches at their recently opened stadium at the dockside location, having departed Goodison Park behind after 133 years at the end of last season.

But Spurs captain the Dutchman pounced twice from corners in the opening 45 minutes to put their impressive record at risk, and they were unable to mount a comeback before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by former Toffees attacker Richarlison - headed home a third to seal the victory.

Jake O'Brien believed he had levelled the tally a short while after Van de Ven's first goal, glancing a bullet header past the Spurs keeper from an Everton corner.

The Portuguese striker, in the meantime, missed a handful of chances, while the Italian goalkeeper made a series of excellent stops to guarantee Tottenham went five matches on the road without defeat in the English top flight.

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

The win moves Thomas Frank's side up to third in the division, a handful of points off north London rivals and table-toppers the Gunners.

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

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

After a drab midweek performance in the Champions League against Monaco, where they mustered a only attempts on target, Frank opted for Randal Kolo Muani up front instead of former Toffees player the Brazilian.

The new arrival was failed to make much of an impact before being replaced for Richarlison after an hour on the pitch, but it turns out he proved unnecessary in the final outcome.

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 directing the ball back across the six-yard box for an unmarked Van de Ven to head home.

And Ven de Ven - filling in as skipper in the Argentine's absence - notched his next goal in first-half stoppage time as he rose above Jordan Pickford to head home.

The Dutchman was equally outstanding in defence, combining effectively with his defensive colleague as the duo dealt superbly with the numerous deliveries sent their way by the opposition.

Toffees breakdown: Toffees lacking finishing touch

The club's recent stadium had been a happy hunting ground, but it seems the freshness may have worn off somewhat and fans headed to the gates after the midfielder's third for Tottenham.

The break in the team's unbeaten home run won't be a massive concern for the manager, but their attacking woes will be.

Beto and the other striker - the Toffees' two recognised centre-forwards - had scored just one league goal combined before Sunday's match.

And they were unable to add to that miserable record on a wet and gloomy night on in Liverpool.

Beto's form was summed up when he chose to overhead kick a clear chance from near the goal, despite having space and time to readjust for a simpler attempt that would have tested the keeper.

The substitute, too, was unable to make an impact after replacing the starter in the 65th minute.

It was not for a shortage of chance. The majority of Everton's attacks came through Grealish and Ndiaye, who tirelessly whipped threatening crosses into the Spurs box.

What next for these two sides?

The Toffees: The team travel to the Stadium of Light in the top flight on Monday, 3 November at 8 PM.

Spurs: The London club travel to Newcastle's ground on late October for their fourth-round League Cup tie against Newcastle.