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

The Toffees were unbeaten in their five previous fixtures at their recently opened stadium at the dockside location, having left their historic home behind after more than a century at the conclusion of last season.

But Spurs captain the Dutchman pounced on two occasions from set-pieces in the opening 45 minutes to place their strong form at risk, and they were unable to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - assisted by ex-Everton forward the Brazilian - nodded in a final goal to put the game to bed.

Jake O'Brien thought he had levelled the scores a short while after the defender's opener, glancing a powerful header past Guglielmo Vicario from an set-piece.

Beto, in the meantime, failed to convert a handful of chances, while the Italian goalkeeper made a succession of fine stops to ensure the London club went five matches on the road unbeaten in the English top flight.

But the VAR stepped in, instructing the match official to check the score on the screen and the official decided that the winger and the attacker were in offside positions and had impeded with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

The win moves Thomas Frank's team into third place in the division, five points off north London rivals and leaders Arsenal.

The Merseyside club remain 14th and sit half a dozen points clear of the relegation zone.

Spurs breakdown: Van de Ven fulfils duties at both ends of the field

Following a drab weekday performance in the Champions League against the French side, where they managed a only attempts on target, the manager chose Randal Kolo Muani up front instead of ex-Everton forward the Brazilian.

The new arrival was unable to influence the game before being replaced for Richarlison after 60 minutes on the field, but it turns out he proved unnecessary in the end.

Defender the Dutchman transformed into an attacking force to be reckoned with.

Spurs' opening strike came from a cleverly executed corner routine, with the midfielder heading the ball back across the six-yard box for an unmarked the defender to score.

And the captain - stepping up as captain in Cristian Romero's absence - added his second in first-half stoppage time as he rose above Jordan Pickford to head home.

Van de Ven was equally outstanding in defensive duties, combining effectively with his defensive colleague as the pair dealt superbly with the numerous deliveries thrown their way by Everton.

Everton analysis: Everton missing striker's instinct

Everton's new home had been a fortress, but it appears the freshness may have faded somewhat and fans flocked to the gates after the midfielder's third for Tottenham.

The break in Everton's winning streak at home will not be a massive worry for the manager, but their attacking woes will be.

The forward and Thierno Barry - the Everton's two recognised strikers - had scored just a single goal combined before Sunday's outing.

And they were unable to contribute to that poor record on a wet and gloomy night on Merseyside.

The striker's form was epitomized when he chose to bicycle-kick a clear chance from near the goal, despite having room and opportunity to readjust for a more conventional shot that would have challenged Vicario.

Barry, too, failed to influence the game after coming on for the starter in the second half.

It wasn't for a lack of opportunity. Most of the home side's attacks came through the winger and Ndiaye, who tirelessly delivered threatening balls into the Tottenham penalty area.

Upcoming fixtures for these two sides?

Everton: The team head to the Stadium of Light in the Premier League on Monday, 3 November at 8 PM.

Spurs: The London club go to St James' Park on Wednesday, 29 October for their next round League Cup tie against the Magpies.