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The Tottenham defender found the net twice as Spurs prolonged their unbeaten run in away games in the Premier League and delivered the Toffees their initial loss at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The Toffees were undefeated in their five previous fixtures at their new ground at Bramley-Moore Dock, having departed Goodison Park behind after 133 years at the end of the previous campaign.

But Spurs captain Van de Ven pounced twice from set-pieces in the opening 45 minutes to put their impressive record at jeopardy, and they were failed to turn it around before the midfielder - set up by ex-Everton forward Richarlison - headed home a third to put the game to bed.

Jake O'Brien thought he had equalized the scores five minutes after Van de Ven's opener, glancing a powerful header past Guglielmo Vicario from an Everton corner.

The Portuguese striker, meanwhile, failed to convert a number of opportunities, while Vicario made a succession of fine saves to ensure Tottenham went five away games unbeaten in the Premier League.

But the video assistant referee stepped in, instructing the match official to review the goal on the pitchside monitor and the referee ruled that Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye were in an illegal position and had impeded with the Spurs keeper.

The win elevates Thomas Frank's side up to third in the division, a handful of points off north London rivals and table-toppers the Gunners.

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

Spurs breakdown: The defender fulfils duties at both ends of pitch

Following a uninspiring weekday performance in the Champions League against Monaco, where they managed a only attempts on target, the manager chose the French striker up front instead of ex-Everton forward the Brazilian.

The summer signing was failed to influence the game before being replaced for the substitute after 60 minutes on the pitch, but it turns out he wasn't needed in the final outcome.

Centre-back Van de Ven converted into an attacking force to be feared.

Tottenham's opening strike came from a well-worked set-piece play, with Rodrigo Bentancur heading the ball toward the face of goal for an unmarked the defender to score.

And the captain - stepping up as skipper in the Argentine's unavailability - notched his second in first-half stoppage time as he rose above the England keeper to head home.

The Dutchman was equally outstanding in defence, partnering well with Kevin Danso as the duo handled superbly with the 34 crosses sent their way by the opposition.

Everton analysis: Toffees lacking striker's instinct

Everton's recent stadium had been a happy hunting ground, but it seems the freshness may have faded somewhat and supporters flocked to the gates after Sarr's third for Tottenham.

The break in the team's winning streak at home will not be a massive worry for the manager, but their attacking woes are.

The forward and the other striker - the Everton's pair of established strikers - had scored just one league goal between them before the weekend's match.

And they were failed to contribute to that poor record on a wet and gloomy night on Merseyside.

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

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

It wasn't for a shortage of opportunity. Most of Everton's offensive moves came through Grealish and Ndiaye, who relentlessly delivered dangerous crosses into the Tottenham penalty area.

What next for these two sides?

The Toffees: The team travel to Sunderland in the top flight on Monday, 3 November at 20:00 GMT.

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