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The Tottenham defender scored on two occasions as Spurs extended their winning streak on the road in the top division and handed Everton their first defeat at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The Toffees were unbeaten in their five previous fixtures at their recently opened stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, having departed their historic home behind after 133 years at the end of the previous campaign.

But Spurs captain Van de Ven struck twice from set-pieces in the opening 45 minutes to put their strong form at jeopardy, and they were unable to turn it around before the midfielder - assisted by ex-Everton forward the Brazilian - nodded in a third to seal the victory.

The Everton defender believed he had levelled the scores a short while after Van de Ven's first goal, directing a bullet header past the Spurs keeper from an Everton corner.

The Portuguese striker, meanwhile, missed a handful of chances, while the Italian goalkeeper made a series of fine saves to guarantee Tottenham went five matches on the road unbeaten in the Premier League.

But the VAR stepped in, instructing the match official to review the score on the pitchside monitor and the referee decided that the winger and Iliman Ndiaye were in offside positions and had impeded with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

The win elevates the manager's side up to third in the division, a handful of points off north London rivals and leaders the Gunners.

Everton stay 14th and are half a dozen points clear of the relegation zone.

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

Following a uninspiring midweek display in the European competition against the French side, where they managed a mere attempts on goal, the manager chose the French striker up front instead of former Toffees player Richarlison.

The new arrival was unable to make much of an impact before being replaced for Richarlison after an hour on the pitch, but it emerged he wasn't needed in the final outcome.

Centre-back Van de Ven converted into an attacking force to be reckoned with.

Spurs' opening strike came from a well-worked set-piece play, with the midfielder heading the ball back across the face of goal for an unmarked Van de Ven to head home.

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

The Dutchman was just as outstanding in defence, partnering well with Kevin Danso as the pair handled excellently with the 34 crosses sent their way by the opposition.

Toffees breakdown: Everton lacking striker's instinct

The club's new home had been a fortress, but it appears the novelty may have worn off somewhat and supporters flocked to the exits after Sarr's final goal for Tottenham.

The break in the team's winning streak at home will not be a massive worry for the manager, but their striker situation are.

Beto and Thierno Barry - the Everton's two recognised strikers - had netted just a single goal between them before the weekend's match.

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

The striker's form was epitomized when he opted to overhead kick a golden opportunity from close range, even with having space and time to readjust for a simpler attempt that would have challenged the keeper.

Barry, as well, failed to make an impact after replacing the starter in the second half.

It was not for a shortage of opportunity. The majority of the home side's attacks came through the winger and Ndiaye, who tirelessly delivered dangerous crosses into the Tottenham penalty area.

Upcoming fixtures for these two sides?

Everton: The team travel to Sunderland in the top flight on early November at 20:00 GMT.

Spurs: The London club go to Newcastle's ground on Wednesday, 29 October for their fourth-round Carabao Cup tie against the Magpies.