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The Tottenham defender found the net on two occasions as Tottenham prolonged their unbeaten run on the road in the Premier League and handed Everton their initial loss at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton were unbeaten in their five previous fixtures at their recently opened stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, having left Goodison Park behind after more than a century at the conclusion of the previous campaign.

But Tottenham's leader the Dutchman struck on two occasions from corners in the opening 45 minutes to put their strong form at jeopardy, and they were failed to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by former Toffees attacker the Brazilian - headed home a final goal to seal the victory.

The Everton defender believed he had levelled the tally a short while after Van de Ven's first goal, glancing a powerful header past Guglielmo Vicario from an Everton corner.

Beto, meanwhile, missed a handful of opportunities, while Vicario made a series of excellent stops to ensure the London club went five matches on the road unbeaten in the Premier League.

But the video assistant referee intervened, advising Craig Pawson to check the score on the pitchside monitor and the referee decided that Jack Grealish and the attacker were in an illegal position and had impeded with the Spurs keeper.

This victory elevates Thomas Frank's side up to third in the Premier League, a handful of points off north London rivals and table-toppers the Gunners.

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

Tottenham analysis: The defender fulfils duties at both ends of the field

Following a drab midweek display in the Champions League against the French side, where they mustered a only two shots on target, the manager chose the French striker in attack instead of former Toffees player Richarlison.

The new arrival was failed to make much of an impact before being substituted for the substitute after an hour on the field, but it turns out he wasn't needed in the final outcome.

Centre-back Van de Ven transformed into an offensive threat to be reckoned with.

Spurs' opening strike came from a cleverly executed set-piece play, with the midfielder directing the ball toward the six-yard box for an unmarked the defender to score.

And the captain - stepping up as skipper in the Argentine's absence - notched his second in added time as he rose above the England keeper to nod in.

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

Everton analysis: Toffees lacking striker's instinct

The club's recent stadium had been a happy hunting ground, but it seems the novelty may have faded slightly and supporters flocked to the exits after the midfielder's final goal for Spurs.

The break in the team's unbeaten home run won't be a major concern for the manager, but their striker situation will be.

Beto and Thierno Barry - the Everton's pair of recognised centre-forwards - had scored only a single goal combined before the weekend's match.

And they were failed to contribute to that miserable record on a damp and dreary night on Merseyside.

The striker's form was summed up when he chose to bicycle-kick a clear chance from near the goal, despite having room and opportunity to readjust for a simpler shot that would have tested the keeper.

Barry, as well, was unable 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 relentlessly whipped dangerous crosses into the Tottenham penalty area.

Upcoming fixtures for these two sides?

The Toffees: The team head to the Stadium of Light in the Premier League on early November at 8 PM.

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