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Micky van de Ven found the net twice as Tottenham extended their unbeaten run on the road in the top division and handed the Toffees their initial loss at their new home.

The Toffees were unbeaten in their five previous fixtures at their new ground at Bramley-Moore Dock, having left Goodison Park behind after 133 years at the conclusion of last season.

But Spurs captain Van de Ven struck twice from corners in the first half to place their strong form at risk, and they were failed to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - assisted by former Toffees attacker the Brazilian - headed home a third to put the game to bed.

The Everton defender believed he had levelled the tally five minutes after Van de Ven's first goal, directing a powerful header past Guglielmo Vicario from an Everton corner.

Beto, meanwhile, missed a handful of opportunities, while Vicario made a series of fine stops to ensure the London club went five matches on the road unbeaten in the Premier League.

But the VAR intervened, advising the match official to review the goal on the screen and the referee ruled that Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye were in an illegal position and had interfered with the Spurs keeper.

This victory elevates Thomas Frank's team up to third in the division, a handful of points off local foes and leaders the Gunners.

The Merseyside club remain 14th and are six points clear of the relegation zone.

Spurs breakdown: The defender fulfils duties at both ends of pitch

After a uninspiring midweek performance 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 unable to influence the game before being substituted for Richarlison after 60 minutes on the pitch, but it emerged he proved unnecessary in the end.

Centre-back Van de Ven transformed into an offensive threat to be reckoned with.

Spurs' opening strike came from a well-worked set-piece play, with the midfielder directing the ball back across the six-yard box for an unmarked the defender to score.

And Ven de Ven - stepping up as captain in the Argentine's unavailability - added his next goal in added time as he rose above Jordan Pickford to head home.

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

Toffees breakdown: Everton missing striker's instinct

The club's recent stadium had been a happy hunting ground, but it seems the novelty may have faded somewhat and fans headed to the gates after Sarr's final goal for Tottenham.

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

The forward and Thierno Barry - the Everton's pair of recognised centre-forwards - had scored just a single goal combined before Sunday's match.

And they were failed to contribute to that miserable tally on a damp and dreary evening on Merseyside.

The striker's performance was summed up when he chose to bicycle-kick a golden opportunity from near the goal, even with having room and opportunity to readjust for a more conventional shot that would have tested the keeper.

The substitute, too, was unable to influence the game after coming on for the starter in the second half.

It wasn't for a lack of opportunity. The majority of the home side's offensive moves came through Grealish and the forward, who relentlessly whipped threatening crosses into the Spurs box.

Upcoming fixtures for these two sides?

The Toffees: The team head to Sunderland in the Premier League on Monday, 3 November at 20:00 GMT.

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