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The Tottenham defender found the net 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.

The Toffees were unbeaten in their last five matches at their new ground at the dockside location, having left Goodison Park behind after more than a century at the conclusion of the previous campaign.

But Tottenham's leader the Dutchman pounced on two occasions from corners in the first half to place their strong form at risk, and they were unable to mount a comeback before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by ex-Everton forward Richarlison - headed home a final goal to put the game to bed.

Jake O'Brien believed he had equalized the scores a short while after the defender's first goal, directing a bullet header past the Spurs keeper from an Everton corner.

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

But the VAR intervened, instructing Craig Pawson to review the goal on the screen and the official ruled that the winger and the attacker were in an illegal position and had impeded with the Spurs keeper.

This victory elevates the manager's side into third place 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 six points clear of the drop zone.

Spurs breakdown: Van de Ven excels in role at both ends of pitch

Following a uninspiring midweek performance in the European competition against Monaco, where they mustered a only two shots on target, the manager opted for the French striker up front instead of former Toffees player the Brazilian.

The new arrival was failed to influence the game before being replaced for Richarlison after 60 minutes on the pitch, but it turns out he wasn't needed in the end.

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

Tottenham's opening strike came from a cleverly executed corner routine, with Rodrigo Bentancur heading the ball toward the six-yard box for an free the defender to score.

And the captain - stepping up as skipper in Cristian Romero's unavailability - notched his second in first-half stoppage time as he rose above Jordan Pickford to head home.

The Dutchman was just as outstanding in defence, combining effectively with Kevin Danso as the duo dealt superbly with the 34 crosses sent their way by the opposition.

Toffees breakdown: Everton missing striker's instinct

Everton's recent stadium had been a fortress, but it seems the novelty may have faded somewhat and fans headed to the gates after Sarr's final goal for Spurs.

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

Beto and Thierno Barry - the Toffees' pair of recognised strikers - had scored only a single goal combined before Sunday's outing.

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

The striker's performance was summed up when he chose to bicycle-kick a golden opportunity from close range, despite having room and time to reposition for a simpler shot that would have challenged Vicario.

The substitute, too, failed to make an impact after replacing Beto in the 65th minute.

It was not for a lack of chance. Most of the home side's offensive moves came through the winger and Ndiaye, who relentlessly whipped dangerous crosses into the Spurs box.

What next for these two sides?

Everton: The team travel to the Stadium of Light in the Premier League on early November at 8 PM.

Tottenham: The London club travel to Newcastle's ground on Wednesday, 29 October for their next round League Cup match against Newcastle.