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The Tottenham defender found the net on two occasions as Spurs extended their unbeaten run on the road in the Premier League and delivered the Toffees their first defeat at their new home.

The Toffees were unbeaten 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 end of the previous campaign.

But Tottenham's leader Van de Ven pounced twice from corners in the opening 45 minutes to place their impressive record at risk, and they were failed to mount a comeback before the midfielder - set up by ex-Everton forward Richarlison - nodded in a final goal to put the game to bed.

The Everton defender thought he had levelled the tally a short while after Van de Ven's opener, glancing a powerful header past Guglielmo Vicario from an set-piece.

Beto, in the meantime, missed a handful of opportunities, while Vicario made a succession of fine saves to ensure Tottenham went five matches on the road unbeaten in the English top flight.

But the video assistant referee stepped in, instructing the match official to check the score on the screen and the referee decided that Jack Grealish and the attacker were in an illegal position and had interfered with the Spurs keeper.

The win elevates Thomas Frank's side into third place in the Premier League, a handful of points off north London rivals and table-toppers Arsenal.

The Merseyside club stay 14th and are six points ahead of the relegation zone.

Spurs breakdown: Van de Ven excels in role at each end of pitch

After a drab midweek display in the Champions League against the French side, where they mustered a mere attempts on target, Frank opted for Randal Kolo Muani up front instead of former Toffees player Richarlison.

The summer signing was failed to make much of an impact before being replaced for Richarlison after 60 minutes on the pitch, but it emerged he proved unnecessary in the final outcome.

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

Tottenham's first goal came from a cleverly executed corner routine, with Rodrigo Bentancur heading the ball back across the face of goal for an unmarked the defender to head home.

And Ven de Ven - stepping up as captain in Cristian Romero's absence - added his next goal in first-half stoppage time as he outjumped Jordan Pickford to head home.

The Dutchman was just as impressive in defensive duties, combining well with his defensive colleague as the duo dealt superbly with the numerous deliveries sent their way by the opposition.

Everton analysis: Toffees lacking striker's instinct

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

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

Beto and the other striker - the Toffees' two established centre-forwards - had netted only a single goal between them before Sunday's outing.

And they were failed to contribute to that miserable tally on a wet and gloomy night on Merseyside.

Beto's performance was epitomized when he chose to overhead kick a golden opportunity from close range, even with having room and time to reposition for a simpler attempt that would have challenged Vicario.

The substitute, too, was unable to influence the game after replacing the starter in the second half.

It wasn't for a lack of opportunity. The majority of Everton's attacks came through Grealish and the forward, who tirelessly delivered dangerous balls into the Tottenham penalty area.

What next for these two sides?

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

Tottenham: Spurs travel to Newcastle's ground on late October for their fourth-round League Cup tie against the Magpies.