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Micky van de Ven found the net twice as Tottenham prolonged their unbeaten run on the road 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 recently opened stadium 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 struck twice from corners in the first half to place their strong form at jeopardy, and they were unable to mount a comeback before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by former Toffees attacker Richarlison - headed home a final goal to put the game to bed.

Jake O'Brien believed he had levelled the scores a short while after the defender's first goal, glancing a powerful header past the Spurs keeper from an set-piece.

Beto, meanwhile, missed a handful of opportunities, while the Italian goalkeeper made a series of fine stops to guarantee the London club went five away games without defeat in the English top flight.

But the VAR stepped in, instructing the match official to review the score on the screen and the official decided that Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye were in an illegal position and had impeded with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

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

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

Spurs breakdown: The defender fulfils role at both ends of the field

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

The summer signing was unable 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 final outcome.

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

Tottenham's opening strike came from a well-worked corner routine, with the midfielder heading the ball back across the six-yard box for an unmarked the defender to head home.

And the captain - filling in as captain in the Argentine's absence - added his next goal in first-half stoppage time as he outjumped the England keeper to head home.

Van de Ven was equally outstanding in defensive duties, combining well with his defensive colleague as the pair dealt excellently with the 34 crosses sent their way by Everton.

Everton analysis: Everton missing striker's instinct

Everton's recent stadium had been a fortress, but it appears the freshness may have faded somewhat and fans flocked to the exits after Sarr's third for Spurs.

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

The forward and Thierno Barry - the Everton's pair of established strikers - had scored just a single goal between them before the weekend's match.

And they were unable to contribute to that poor record on a wet and gloomy evening on in Liverpool.

The striker's form was summed up when he chose to bicycle-kick a golden opportunity from near the goal, despite having space and time to reposition for a simpler shot that would have tested the keeper.

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

It wasn't for a lack of opportunity. The majority of Everton's offensive moves came through the winger and the forward, who tirelessly delivered dangerous crosses into the Tottenham box.

Upcoming fixtures for both teams?

Everton: Moyes' men 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 late October for their fourth-round Carabao Cup match against Newcastle.