Micky van de Ven Brace Halts Everton's Unbeaten Streak at Brand New Home Ground
Micky van de Ven emerged as the initial backline player to net two goals in a English top-flight game for Tottenham since Jan Vertonghen in March 2013.
Match summary
The Spurs defender nods home twice in first half
Everton's defender has equalizer disallowed after VAR review
Pape Matar Sarr scores final goal in 89th minute
This loss is Everton's first at Hill Dickinson Stadium
The Tottenham defender scored on two occasions as Tottenham extended their unbeaten run on the road in the top division and handed Everton their first defeat at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The Toffees were unbeaten in their last five matches at their recently opened stadium at the dockside location, having departed their historic home behind after 133 years at the end of last season.
But Tottenham's leader Van de Ven struck on two occasions from set-pieces in the opening 45 minutes to put their impressive record at risk, and they were unable to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by former Toffees attacker Richarlison - nodded in a third to seal the victory.
Jake O'Brien thought he had equalized the tally five minutes after the defender's first goal, glancing a powerful header past the Spurs keeper from an set-piece.
Beto, in the meantime, failed to convert a handful of opportunities, while the Italian goalkeeper made a succession of fine stops to guarantee the London club went five matches on the road without defeat in the Premier League.
But the video assistant referee stepped in, instructing Craig Pawson to check the score on the pitchside monitor and the official decided that Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye were in offside positions and had impeded with the Tottenham goalkeeper.
The win moves Thomas Frank's side up to third in the division, a handful of points off local foes and table-toppers the Gunners.
The Merseyside club stay in 14th position and sit six points ahead of the relegation zone.
Tottenham analysis: Van de Ven fulfils duties at each end of pitch
Following a drab weekday display in the Champions League against Monaco, where they mustered a only attempts on target, Frank opted for Randal Kolo Muani up front instead of ex-Everton forward Richarlison.
The new arrival was failed to make much of an impact before being replaced for Richarlison after 60 minutes on the pitch, but it emerged he proved unnecessary in the final outcome.
Centre-back the Dutchman converted into an offensive threat to be reckoned with.
Spurs' first goal came from a well-worked corner routine, with the midfielder heading the ball toward the face of goal for an unmarked the defender to head home.
And the captain - filling in as skipper in Cristian Romero's absence - notched his next goal in first-half stoppage time as he outjumped Jordan Pickford to head home.
Van de Ven was just as outstanding in defensive duties, combining well with his defensive colleague as the pair handled superbly with the 34 crosses sent their way by the opposition.
Everton analysis: Everton lacking striker's instinct
The club's recent stadium had been a happy hunting ground, but it appears the freshness may have worn off slightly 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 massive worry for David Moyes, but their attacking woes are.
Beto and Thierno Barry - the Everton's pair of established centre-forwards - had scored just one league goal combined before the weekend's outing.
And they were unable to add to that poor record on a damp and dreary evening on Merseyside.
Beto's form was summed up when he chose to bicycle-kick a golden opportunity from near the goal, even with having space and time to readjust for a simpler shot that would have tested Vicario.
The substitute, as well, failed to influence the game after coming on for Beto in the second half.
It was not for a shortage of chance. Most of Everton's attacks came through the winger and the forward, who tirelessly whipped dangerous balls into the Tottenham box.
What next for these two sides?
The Toffees: The team travel to the Stadium of Light in the top flight on Monday, 3 November at 20:00 GMT.
Tottenham: Spurs travel to St James' Park on late October for their next round League Cup match against Newcastle.