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Micky van de Ven found the net on two occasions as Tottenham prolonged their unbeaten run on the road in the top division and delivered the Toffees their first defeat at their new home.

Everton were undefeated 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 conclusion of last season.

But Tottenham's leader Van de Ven struck twice from set-pieces in the opening 45 minutes to put their strong form at risk, and they were unable to mount a comeback before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by former Toffees attacker the Brazilian - nodded in a final goal to put the game to bed.

Jake O'Brien thought he had equalized the scores a short while after Van de Ven's opener, glancing a powerful header past Guglielmo Vicario from an set-piece.

The Portuguese striker, meanwhile, failed to convert a handful of opportunities, while Vicario made a series of fine saves to ensure Tottenham went five away games unbeaten in the English top flight.

But the VAR stepped in, instructing Craig Pawson to check the goal on the pitchside monitor and the official 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 division, a handful of points off north London rivals and table-toppers the Gunners.

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

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

Following a uninspiring midweek display in the Champions League against the French side, where they managed a mere two shots on goal, the manager opted for Randal Kolo Muani in attack instead of former Toffees player the Brazilian.

The summer signing was failed to make much of an impact before being replaced for the substitute after 60 minutes on the field, but it emerged he proved unnecessary in the end.

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

Spurs' opening strike came from a well-worked set-piece play, with Rodrigo Bentancur heading the ball toward the six-yard box for an unmarked the defender to score.

And the captain - filling in as skipper in Cristian Romero's absence - notched his second in first-half stoppage time as he outjumped Jordan Pickford to head home.

Van de Ven was just as impressive in defence, combining effectively with his defensive colleague as the pair dealt excellently with the numerous deliveries thrown their way by the opposition.

Everton analysis: Everton missing striker's instinct

Everton's recent stadium had been a happy hunting ground, but it appears the freshness may have faded slightly and supporters headed to the exits after Sarr's third for Tottenham.

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

The forward and Thierno Barry - the Everton's pair of recognised centre-forwards - had scored only one league goal between them before the weekend's outing.

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

Beto's performance was summed up when he chose to bicycle-kick a clear chance from near the goal, even with having room and opportunity to readjust for a simpler shot that would have challenged the keeper.

The substitute, as well, failed to make an impact after coming on for the starter in the 65th minute.

It wasn't for a lack of chance. Most of the home side's offensive moves came through the winger and Ndiaye, who relentlessly whipped threatening crosses into the Tottenham penalty area.

What next for both teams?

The Toffees: The team travel to the Stadium of Light in the top flight on Monday, 3 November at 8 PM.

Spurs: The London club go to St James' Park on Wednesday, 29 October for their fourth-round Carabao Cup match against the Magpies.