Van de Ven Brace Halts The Toffees' Unbeaten Streak at New Stadium
The Dutch defender became the first backline player to net two goals in a English top-flight match for Tottenham since the Belgian defender in spring 2013.
Key points
Micky Van de Ven heads home twice in opening period
The home side's defender has goal disallowed after VAR review
Pape Matar Sarr nets final goal in dying moments
The defeat is Everton's initial at Hill Dickinson Stadium
Micky van de Ven found the net twice 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 the dockside location, having departed Goodison Park behind after more than a century at the end of the previous campaign.
But Spurs captain Van de Ven pounced twice from set-pieces in the first half to place their impressive record at risk, and they were unable 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.
Jake O'Brien believed he had levelled the tally five minutes after the defender's opener, glancing a powerful header past Guglielmo Vicario from an set-piece.
The Portuguese striker, meanwhile, missed a handful of opportunities, while Vicario made a series of excellent saves to guarantee Tottenham went five away games unbeaten in the English top flight.
But the video assistant referee stepped in, advising Craig Pawson to review the goal on the screen and the official ruled that Jack Grealish and the attacker were in offside positions and had interfered with the Spurs keeper.
The win elevates the manager's team into third place in the Premier League, a handful of points off north London rivals and leaders Arsenal.
The Merseyside club remain 14th and sit half a dozen points clear of the drop zone.
Spurs breakdown: Van de Ven fulfils duties at both ends of the field
After a uninspiring weekday display 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 unable to influence the game before being substituted for the substitute after 60 minutes on the field, but it turns out he proved unnecessary in the final outcome.
Centre-back the Dutchman converted into an offensive threat to be reckoned with.
Tottenham's first goal came from a cleverly executed set-piece play, with Rodrigo Bentancur heading the ball back across the six-yard box for an free Van de Ven to score.
And the captain - stepping up as captain in the Argentine's absence - added his second in added time as he outjumped Jordan Pickford to head home.
Van de Ven was just as impressive in defence, partnering effectively with his defensive colleague as the pair dealt superbly with the 34 crosses thrown their way by Everton.
Toffees breakdown: Toffees lacking finishing touch
The club's new home had been a fortress, but it seems the novelty may have worn off somewhat and fans flocked to the exits after Sarr's third for Tottenham.
The break in the team's winning streak at home will not be a massive concern for the manager, but their striker situation will be.
Beto and Thierno Barry - the Toffees' two established strikers - had netted only a single goal between them before Sunday's outing.
And they were failed to add to that miserable tally on a damp and dreary evening on Merseyside.
Beto's performance was epitomized when he chose to overhead kick a clear chance from close range, despite having room and time to readjust for a simpler attempt that would have tested Vicario.
Barry, too, was unable to influence the game after coming on for Beto in the 65th minute.
It wasn't for a shortage of chance. The majority of the home side's attacks came through Grealish and the forward, who relentlessly delivered threatening balls into the Tottenham penalty area.
What next for these two sides?
Everton: The team head to Sunderland in the top flight on Monday, 3 November at 8 PM.
Spurs: Spurs travel to St James' Park on Wednesday, 29 October for their fourth-round League Cup tie against Newcastle.