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The Tottenham defender found the net twice as Spurs prolonged their winning streak on the road in the top division and delivered 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 their historic home behind after more than a century at the conclusion of the previous campaign.

But Spurs captain the Dutchman pounced on two occasions from set-pieces in the opening 45 minutes to put their strong form at jeopardy, and they were failed to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - assisted by ex-Everton forward the Brazilian - nodded in a third to put the game to bed.

The Everton defender thought he had levelled the scores five minutes after the defender's first goal, glancing a powerful header past the Spurs keeper from an Everton corner.

The Portuguese striker, in the meantime, failed to convert a number of opportunities, while the Italian goalkeeper made a series of fine saves to ensure the London club went five matches on the road unbeaten in the English top flight.

But the VAR intervened, instructing the match official 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 interfered with the Spurs keeper.

The win moves the manager's team into third place in the division, five points off north London rivals and table-toppers Arsenal.

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

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

After a uninspiring midweek performance in the European competition against Monaco, where they mustered a only attempts on goal, the manager opted for Randal Kolo Muani in attack instead of former Toffees player the Brazilian.

The summer signing was failed to influence the game before being substituted for the substitute after an hour on the field, but it emerged he wasn't needed in the end.

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

Spurs' first goal came from a well-worked corner routine, with Rodrigo Bentancur directing the ball back across the face of goal for an unmarked the defender to head home.

And the captain - stepping up as skipper in the Argentine's absence - added his second in added time as he outjumped the England keeper to head home.

Van de Ven was just as outstanding in defensive duties, partnering well with Kevin Danso as the duo handled excellently with the 34 crosses thrown their way by the opposition.

Everton analysis: Toffees lacking finishing touch

The club's new home had been a happy hunting ground, but it appears the freshness may have worn off somewhat and supporters flocked to the gates after Sarr's third for Spurs.

The end in Everton's unbeaten home run won't be a massive concern for David Moyes, but their attacking woes will be.

Beto and Thierno Barry - the Toffees' pair of established centre-forwards - had scored only a single goal between them before Sunday's outing.

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

Beto's performance was summed up when he opted to bicycle-kick a clear chance from close range, despite having room and time to readjust for a more conventional attempt that would have tested the keeper.

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

It wasn't for a lack of opportunity. Most of the home side's attacks came through the winger and Ndiaye, who relentlessly delivered dangerous crosses into the Tottenham box.

Upcoming fixtures for both teams?

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

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