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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 handed Everton their first defeat at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton were unbeaten in their five previous fixtures at their recently opened stadium at the dockside location, having left their historic home behind after more than a century at the end of last season.

But Tottenham's leader the Dutchman struck twice from set-pieces in the first half to place their strong form at risk, and they were unable to mount a comeback before Pape Matar Sarr - assisted by former Toffees attacker the Brazilian - nodded in a third to put the game to bed.

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

Beto, in the meantime, failed to convert a handful of opportunities, while the Italian goalkeeper made a succession of excellent stops to ensure Tottenham went five away games without defeat in the English top flight.

But the VAR intervened, instructing the match official to check the score on the pitchside monitor and the referee ruled that Jack Grealish and the attacker were in an illegal position and had impeded with the Spurs keeper.

The win moves the manager's side up to third in the division, five points off north London rivals and leaders Arsenal.

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

Spurs breakdown: The defender excels in duties at both ends of the field

Following a uninspiring midweek display in the European competition against the French side, where they mustered a mere attempts on goal, the manager opted for Randal Kolo Muani in attack instead of former Toffees player Richarlison.

The new arrival was failed to influence the game before being replaced for Richarlison after an hour on the field, but it emerged he proved unnecessary in the end.

Defender Van de Ven transformed into an attacking force to be feared.

Tottenham's opening strike 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 head home.

And Ven de Ven - filling in as skipper in Cristian Romero's unavailability - notched his second in added time as he outjumped Jordan Pickford to head home.

Van de Ven was equally outstanding in defensive duties, partnering well with Kevin Danso as the duo dealt excellently with the numerous deliveries sent their way by Everton.

Everton analysis: Everton lacking striker's instinct

Everton's new home had been a fortress, but it appears the novelty may have faded slightly and supporters flocked to the gates after Sarr's third for Spurs.

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

The forward and the other striker - the Toffees' two recognised strikers - had netted only one league goal between them before Sunday's outing.

And they were failed to add to that poor tally on a damp and dreary evening on Merseyside.

The striker's form was epitomized when he opted to bicycle-kick a clear chance from close range, even with having room and opportunity to readjust for a more conventional shot that would have challenged the keeper.

The substitute, too, failed to make an impact after replacing the starter in the second half.

It was not for a shortage of opportunity. Most of the home side's offensive moves came through Grealish and Ndiaye, who relentlessly delivered threatening balls into the Tottenham box.

Upcoming fixtures for these two sides?

Everton: Moyes' men travel to Sunderland in the Premier League on early November at 20:00 GMT.

Tottenham: Spurs go to St James' Park on Wednesday, 29 October for their next round Carabao Cup match against Newcastle.