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Micky van de Ven scored on two occasions as Tottenham prolonged their unbeaten run on the road in the top division and handed Everton their first defeat at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton were unbeaten in their five previous fixtures at their new ground at Bramley-Moore Dock, having departed Goodison Park behind after more than a century at the end of last season.

But Tottenham's leader the Dutchman pounced on two occasions from set-pieces in the opening 45 minutes to put their strong form at risk, and they were failed to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by ex-Everton forward Richarlison - nodded in a third to put the game to bed.

The Everton defender thought he had equalized the scores five minutes after the defender's opener, directing a powerful header past Guglielmo Vicario from an Everton corner.

Beto, meanwhile, missed a handful of chances, while the Italian goalkeeper made a series of fine stops to ensure the London club went five away games unbeaten in the Premier League.

But the VAR intervened, instructing the match official to check the score on the screen and the official ruled that the winger and Iliman Ndiaye were in an illegal position and had impeded with the Spurs keeper.

The win elevates the manager's team into third place in the division, five points off local foes and leaders the Gunners.

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

Spurs breakdown: Van de Ven excels in duties at each end of the field

Following a drab midweek display in the European competition against Monaco, where they mustered a mere two shots on target, the manager chose the French striker up front instead of ex-Everton forward the Brazilian.

The new arrival was failed to make much of an impact before being substituted for Richarlison after an hour on the field, but it emerged he proved unnecessary in the final outcome.

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

Spurs' opening strike came from a well-worked set-piece play, with the midfielder directing the ball toward the face of goal for an free the defender to head home.

And the captain - filling in as captain in Cristian Romero's absence - added his second in first-half stoppage time as he rose above the England keeper to nod in.

Van de Ven was equally outstanding in defensive duties, partnering well with his defensive colleague as the duo dealt superbly with the 34 crosses thrown their way by Everton.

Toffees breakdown: Toffees missing striker's instinct

The club's recent stadium had been a fortress, but it seems the novelty may have faded somewhat and fans flocked to the exits after the midfielder's third for Tottenham.

The break in the team's unbeaten home run won't be a massive concern for the manager, but their striker situation are.

The forward and Thierno Barry - the Toffees' two recognised centre-forwards - had netted just a single goal combined before the weekend's outing.

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

Beto's form was epitomized when he chose to overhead kick a clear chance from close range, even with having space and time to reposition for a more conventional shot that would have challenged the keeper.

Barry, as well, failed to influence the game after replacing the starter in the second half.

It wasn't for a shortage of opportunity. The majority of the home side's offensive moves came through the winger and Ndiaye, who relentlessly whipped threatening balls into the Tottenham penalty area.

What next for these two sides?

Everton: Moyes' men head to Sunderland in the top flight on early November at 20:00 GMT.

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