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The Tottenham defender found the net twice as Spurs prolonged their unbeaten run in away games in the top division and delivered Everton their initial loss at their new home.

The Toffees were undefeated in their five previous fixtures at their new ground at the dockside location, having departed Goodison Park behind after 133 years at the conclusion of last season.

But Spurs captain Van de Ven struck on two occasions from set-pieces in the first half to put their strong form at risk, and they were failed to turn it around before the midfielder - assisted by ex-Everton forward Richarlison - nodded in a third to seal the victory.

Jake O'Brien thought he had levelled the tally a short while after Van de Ven's first goal, directing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an set-piece.

Beto, in the meantime, missed a number of opportunities, while the Italian goalkeeper made a series of excellent saves to ensure the London club went five away games without defeat in the English top flight.

But the VAR stepped in, advising Craig Pawson to check the score on the pitchside monitor and the official ruled that Jack Grealish and the attacker were in offside positions and had impeded with the Spurs keeper.

The win elevates the manager's side up to third in the Premier League, a handful of points off local foes and leaders the Gunners.

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

Spurs breakdown: Van de Ven excels in role at both ends of the field

After a drab weekday display in the Champions League against the French side, where they managed a only two shots on target, the manager chose Randal Kolo Muani up front instead of ex-Everton forward Richarlison.

The summer signing was failed to influence the game before being substituted for the substitute after 60 minutes on the pitch, but it emerged he proved unnecessary in the end.

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 Rodrigo Bentancur heading the ball back across the six-yard box for an unmarked the defender to score.

And the captain - 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.

Van de Ven was equally outstanding in defensive duties, partnering effectively with his defensive colleague as the duo handled superbly with the 34 crosses sent their way by Everton.

Toffees breakdown: Toffees missing striker's instinct

Everton's recent stadium had been a happy hunting ground, but it seems the novelty may have worn off somewhat and fans headed to the gates after Sarr's final goal for Tottenham.

The end in the team's unbeaten home run won't be a massive worry for David Moyes, but their attacking woes are.

The forward and Thierno Barry - the Toffees' two established strikers - had netted only a single goal combined before Sunday's match.

And they were unable to add to that poor record on a damp and dreary evening on Merseyside.

Beto's form was epitomized when he chose to bicycle-kick a golden opportunity from near the goal, despite having room and time to readjust for a more conventional attempt that would have tested the keeper.

Barry, too, was unable to influence the game after coming on for Beto in the second half.

It wasn't for a lack of chance. Most of the home side's offensive moves came through Grealish and the forward, who tirelessly delivered dangerous balls into the Tottenham penalty area.

Upcoming fixtures for these two sides?

Everton: Moyes' men travel to the Stadium of Light in the Premier League on early November at 8 PM.

Tottenham: Spurs travel to Newcastle's ground on Wednesday, 29 October for their fourth-round League Cup tie against Newcastle.