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Micky van de Ven scored twice as Tottenham prolonged their unbeaten run on the road in the top division and delivered the Toffees their initial loss at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton were undefeated 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 Tottenham's leader the Dutchman struck on two occasions from set-pieces in the first half to place their impressive record at risk, and they were unable to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - assisted by ex-Everton forward the Brazilian - headed home a final goal to put the game to bed.

The Everton defender believed he had levelled the tally five minutes after the defender's opener, directing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an Everton corner.

The Portuguese striker, in the meantime, missed a handful of opportunities, while Vicario made a succession of excellent stops to ensure Tottenham went five matches on the road without defeat in the English top flight.

But the VAR stepped in, advising the match official to review the score on the pitchside monitor and the referee decided that Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye were in offside positions and had interfered with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

The win moves Thomas Frank's team into third place in the Premier League, five points off local foes and table-toppers the Gunners.

Everton stay 14th and are half a dozen points clear of the drop zone.

Spurs breakdown: The defender excels in role at each end of the field

Following a drab midweek display in the Champions League against Monaco, where they mustered a mere attempts on target, Frank chose Randal Kolo Muani in attack instead of ex-Everton forward the Brazilian.

The new arrival was unable to influence the game before being substituted for the substitute after 60 minutes on the pitch, but it emerged he wasn't needed in the end.

Defender the Dutchman transformed into an attacking force to be feared.

Tottenham's first goal came from a cleverly executed set-piece play, with the midfielder directing the ball back across the face of goal for an free Van de Ven to score.

And the captain - filling in as skipper in Cristian Romero's unavailability - notched his next goal in first-half stoppage time as he outjumped the England keeper to nod in.

Van de Ven was just as outstanding in defensive duties, combining well with Kevin Danso as the duo handled superbly with the numerous deliveries sent their way by Everton.

Toffees breakdown: Everton lacking finishing touch

Everton's new home had been a happy hunting ground, but it seems the freshness may have faded slightly and fans headed to the gates after the midfielder's third for Spurs.

The break in Everton's unbeaten home run will not be a massive concern for the manager, but their attacking woes will be.

The forward and the other striker - the Everton's pair of recognised centre-forwards - had scored only one league goal between them before Sunday's match.

And they were failed to add to that poor tally on a wet and gloomy night on Merseyside.

Beto's performance was summed up when he chose to bicycle-kick a golden opportunity from near the goal, even with having space and time to readjust for a more conventional attempt that would have challenged the keeper.

The substitute, too, was unable to influence the game after coming on for the starter in the 65th minute.

It was not for a lack of opportunity. Most of Everton's offensive moves came through the winger and Ndiaye, who relentlessly whipped threatening crosses into the Spurs penalty area.

Upcoming fixtures for these two sides?

The Toffees: The team travel to the Stadium of Light in the Premier League on early November at 20:00 GMT.

Spurs: Spurs go to St James' Park on late October for their fourth-round League Cup tie against the Magpies.