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Micky van de Ven scored on two occasions as Spurs prolonged their unbeaten run in away games in the top division and delivered the Toffees their first defeat at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Everton were undefeated in their five previous fixtures at their recently opened stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, having departed their historic home behind after more than a century at the end of last season.

But Spurs captain Van de Ven struck on two occasions from corners in the first half to put their strong form at jeopardy, and they were unable to mount a comeback before Pape Matar Sarr - assisted by ex-Everton forward the Brazilian - headed home a third to seal the victory.

Jake O'Brien believed he had levelled the tally five minutes after the defender's opener, glancing a powerful header past the Spurs keeper from an set-piece.

The Portuguese striker, in the meantime, missed a handful of opportunities, while the Italian goalkeeper made a succession of excellent saves to ensure the London club went five matches on the road unbeaten in the Premier League.

But the video assistant referee intervened, advising Craig Pawson to review the goal on the pitchside monitor and the official ruled that the winger and Iliman Ndiaye were in an illegal position and had interfered with the Spurs keeper.

The win elevates Thomas Frank's team up to third in the Premier League, a handful of points off local foes and table-toppers the Gunners.

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

Spurs breakdown: The defender fulfils duties at each end of pitch

After a drab weekday display in the Champions League against the French side, where they managed a mere attempts on target, Frank opted for the French striker in attack instead of former Toffees player the Brazilian.

The new arrival was failed to make much of an impact before being substituted for the substitute after 60 minutes on the field, but it turns out he wasn't needed in the end.

Centre-back the Dutchman transformed into an offensive threat to be reckoned with.

Tottenham's opening strike came from a well-worked set-piece play, with Rodrigo Bentancur heading the ball back across the six-yard box for an unmarked Van de Ven to score.

And the captain - stepping up as captain in the Argentine's absence - notched his second in added time as he outjumped Jordan Pickford to head home.

The Dutchman was just as outstanding in defence, partnering effectively with his defensive colleague as the duo handled excellently with the numerous deliveries thrown their way by the opposition.

Toffees breakdown: Everton lacking finishing touch

The club's new home had been a fortress, but it seems the novelty may have faded somewhat and fans headed to the exits after Sarr's final goal for Tottenham.

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

The forward and the other striker - the Everton's two established strikers - had scored only a single goal between them before the weekend's match.

And they were unable to contribute to that miserable record on a wet and gloomy evening on Merseyside.

The striker's form was epitomized when he opted to overhead kick a golden opportunity from close range, despite having room and time to reposition for a more conventional attempt that would have challenged Vicario.

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

It wasn't for a lack of opportunity. Most of the home side's attacks came through Grealish and Ndiaye, who relentlessly delivered threatening balls into the Spurs penalty area.

Upcoming fixtures for these two sides?

Everton: The team travel to the Stadium of Light in the top flight on Monday, 3 November at 20:00 GMT.

Spurs: The London club travel to St James' Park on Wednesday, 29 October for their next round League Cup tie against the Magpies.