Micky van de Ven Double Halts Everton's Unbeaten Streak at New Home Ground
Micky van de Ven became the initial defender to net two goals in a English top-flight game for Tottenham since Jan Vertonghen in March 2013.
Key points
The Spurs defender nods home two times in opening period
The home side's defender has equalizer disallowed after VAR review
Senegalese midfielder scores third in 89th minute
The defeat is Everton's initial at their new ground
The Tottenham defender found the net twice as Spurs prolonged their unbeaten run on the road in the top division and handed the Toffees their first defeat at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Everton were undefeated in their five previous fixtures at their recently opened stadium at the dockside location, having departed Goodison Park behind after 133 years at the conclusion of last season.
But Spurs captain the Dutchman struck twice from set-pieces in the opening 45 minutes to put their impressive record at jeopardy, and they were unable to mount a comeback before Pape Matar Sarr - assisted by former Toffees attacker the Brazilian - nodded in a final goal to seal the victory.
Jake O'Brien believed he had levelled the scores five minutes after the defender's first goal, directing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an Everton corner.
The Portuguese striker, in the meantime, failed to convert a number of chances, while Vicario made a series of fine stops to guarantee the London club went five away games without defeat in the English top flight.
But the video assistant referee stepped in, advising Craig Pawson to check the score on the screen and the referee decided that Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye were in offside positions and had impeded with the Spurs keeper.
The win elevates Thomas Frank's side up to third in the Premier League, five points off local foes and leaders the Gunners.
Everton remain in 14th position and are six points ahead of the relegation zone.
Spurs breakdown: Van de Ven excels in role at each end of the field
After a drab midweek performance in the European competition against the French side, where they managed a only attempts on goal, the manager 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 pitch, but it emerged he wasn't needed in the end.
Defender the Dutchman converted into an offensive threat to be reckoned with.
Spurs' first goal came from a well-worked set-piece play, with the midfielder directing the ball back across the six-yard box for an free the defender to score.
And Ven de Ven - stepping up as captain in Cristian Romero's unavailability - notched his second in added time as he rose above Jordan Pickford to head home.
Van de Ven was equally impressive in defensive duties, combining well with his defensive colleague as the duo dealt excellently with the numerous deliveries thrown their way by the opposition.
Everton analysis: Toffees missing finishing touch
The club's recent stadium had been a fortress, but it appears the freshness may have worn off somewhat and fans flocked to the gates after Sarr's final goal for Tottenham.
The break in Everton's winning streak at home will not be a massive worry for the manager, but their striker situation are.
Beto and Thierno Barry - the Everton's pair of established strikers - had netted only one league goal between them before the weekend's outing.
And they were unable to add to that miserable record on a wet and gloomy evening on Merseyside.
Beto's form was summed up when he opted to bicycle-kick a clear chance from close range, despite having room and time to readjust for a more conventional attempt that would have tested Vicario.
Barry, too, failed to make an impact 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 Ndiaye, who relentlessly delivered threatening balls into the Spurs box.
What next for these two sides?
Everton: The team travel to the Stadium of Light in the Premier League on Monday, 3 November at 8 PM.
Spurs: Spurs travel to St James' Park on Wednesday, 29 October for their next round League Cup match against the Magpies.