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The Tottenham defender found the net twice as Tottenham prolonged their unbeaten run in away games in the top division and delivered the Toffees their first defeat at their new home.

The Toffees were undefeated in their five previous fixtures at their recently opened stadium at the dockside location, having left Goodison Park behind after more than a century at the conclusion of the previous campaign.

But Spurs captain the Dutchman struck twice from set-pieces in the first half to place their strong form at risk, and they were failed to mount a comeback before Pape Matar Sarr - assisted by former Toffees attacker the Brazilian - nodded in a third to seal the victory.

Jake O'Brien believed he had levelled the scores five minutes after the defender's opener, glancing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an Everton corner.

The Portuguese striker, in the meantime, missed a number of opportunities, while the Italian goalkeeper made a series of fine saves to ensure Tottenham went five matches on the road without defeat in the English top flight.

But the VAR intervened, advising Craig Pawson to check the goal on the pitchside monitor and the referee ruled that the winger and Iliman Ndiaye were in offside positions and had interfered with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

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

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

Tottenham analysis: Van de Ven excels in role at both ends of pitch

Following a uninspiring midweek performance in the European competition against the French side, where they mustered a only two shots on goal, the manager chose Randal Kolo Muani up front instead of former Toffees player Richarlison.

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

Defender the Dutchman transformed into an attacking force to be feared.

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

And the captain - filling in as captain in the Argentine's unavailability - added his next goal in first-half stoppage time as he outjumped the England keeper to head home.

Van de Ven was just as outstanding in defence, combining effectively with Kevin Danso as the duo dealt superbly with the numerous deliveries sent their way by the opposition.

Everton analysis: Everton missing striker's instinct

The club's new home had been a fortress, but it seems the novelty may have faded somewhat and supporters headed to the exits after the midfielder's third for Tottenham.

The end in the team's unbeaten home run will not be a major concern for David Moyes, but their attacking woes are.

Beto and the other striker - the Toffees' two established strikers - had netted just a single goal combined before Sunday's match.

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

Beto's performance was summed up when he chose to bicycle-kick a clear chance from near the goal, despite having space and opportunity to readjust for a simpler shot that would have challenged the keeper.

The substitute, too, failed to influence the game after replacing Beto in the second half.

It wasn't for a shortage of opportunity. The majority of Everton's offensive moves came through the winger and the forward, who tirelessly whipped dangerous crosses into the Tottenham penalty area.

What next for both teams?

Everton: The team travel to Sunderland in the top flight on early November at 8 PM.

Spurs: The London club go to St James' Park on late October for their next round Carabao Cup tie against the Magpies.