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The Tottenham defender found the net twice as Tottenham prolonged their winning streak on the road in the top division and handed Everton their initial loss at their new home.

Everton were unbeaten in their five previous fixtures at their recently opened stadium at the dockside location, having departed Goodison Park behind after more than a century 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 unable to turn it around before the midfielder - set up by former Toffees attacker Richarlison - nodded in a third to put the game to bed.

The Everton defender thought he had equalized the tally a short while after Van de Ven's opener, glancing a bullet header past the Spurs keeper from an Everton corner.

The Portuguese striker, in the meantime, missed a handful of opportunities, while the Italian goalkeeper made a succession of excellent saves to ensure the London club went five away games without defeat in the English top flight.

But the video assistant referee intervened, advising Craig Pawson to check the goal on the screen and the official ruled that Jack Grealish and the attacker were in an illegal position and had interfered with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

The win elevates the manager's team up to third in the Premier League, five points off local foes and leaders the Gunners.

The Merseyside club remain 14th and are six points clear of the drop zone.

Spurs breakdown: Van de Ven fulfils duties at each end of pitch

After a drab midweek performance in the European competition against the French side, where they managed a mere two shots on target, the manager chose the French striker up front instead of former Toffees player Richarlison.

The summer signing was failed to make much of an impact before being substituted for Richarlison after an hour on the field, but it emerged he wasn't needed in the final outcome.

Defender Van de Ven transformed into an offensive threat to be feared.

Tottenham's first goal came from a cleverly executed set-piece play, with Rodrigo Bentancur heading the ball back across the six-yard box for an free Van de Ven to score.

And the captain - filling in as skipper in Cristian Romero's unavailability - added his second in added time as he outjumped Jordan Pickford to nod in.

Van de Ven was just as outstanding in defence, combining effectively with his defensive colleague as the pair handled superbly with the 34 crosses 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 freshness may have worn off somewhat and supporters headed to the gates after Sarr's third for Spurs.

The end in the team's winning streak at home won't be a major worry for the manager, but their striker situation are.

The forward and the other striker - the Toffees' two established strikers - had netted only one league goal between them before the weekend's match.

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

Beto's form was summed up when he opted to bicycle-kick a golden opportunity from close range, even with having space and time to readjust for a simpler shot that would have challenged the keeper.

The substitute, too, was unable to make an impact after coming on for Beto in the second half.

It wasn't for a lack of opportunity. The majority of Everton's attacks came through the winger and Ndiaye, who relentlessly whipped threatening balls into the Spurs penalty area.

What next for these two sides?

The Toffees: The team travel to the Stadium of Light in the Premier League on early November at 20:00 GMT.

Tottenham: The London club travel to St James' Park on late October for their next round League Cup tie against the Magpies.