Micky van de Ven Double Halts Everton's Unbeaten Streak at Brand New Stadium
Micky van de Ven became the first backline player to net two goals in a Premier League match for Tottenham since Jan Vertonghen in spring 2013.
Key points
Micky Van de Ven nods home two times in first half
Everton's defender has equalizer disallowed after VAR review
Pape Matar Sarr nets final goal in 89th minute
This loss is the Merseyside club's initial at their new ground
Micky van de Ven found the net twice as Tottenham prolonged their winning streak in away games in the top division and delivered the Toffees their initial loss at their new home.
The Toffees were unbeaten in their last five matches at their recently opened stadium at the dockside location, having left Goodison Park behind after 133 years at the end of last season.
But Spurs captain the Dutchman pounced twice from set-pieces in the opening 45 minutes to put their impressive record at risk, and they were failed to mount a comeback before the midfielder - assisted by former Toffees attacker the Brazilian - headed home a final goal to seal the victory.
Jake O'Brien thought he had equalized the scores five minutes after Van de Ven's first goal, directing a powerful header past the Spurs keeper from an Everton corner.
The Portuguese striker, meanwhile, failed to convert a handful of chances, while the Italian goalkeeper made a series of fine stops to guarantee Tottenham went five away games without defeat in the English top flight.
But the video assistant referee stepped in, instructing Craig Pawson to review the goal on the pitchside monitor and the referee ruled that the winger and Iliman Ndiaye were in offside positions and had impeded with the Spurs keeper.
This victory moves Thomas Frank's team up to third in the Premier League, a handful of points off north London rivals and table-toppers the Gunners.
Everton stay in 14th position and are half a dozen points ahead of the relegation zone.
Spurs breakdown: Van de Ven fulfils role at both ends of pitch
After a drab midweek performance in the Champions League against Monaco, where they mustered a mere two shots on goal, Frank opted for the French striker in attack instead of former Toffees player Richarlison.
The summer signing was failed to influence the game before being replaced for the substitute after an hour on the pitch, but it turns out he proved unnecessary in the final outcome.
Defender 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 face of goal for an unmarked Van de Ven to score.
And the captain - stepping up as skipper in Cristian Romero's unavailability - notched his second in added time as he outjumped Jordan Pickford to nod in.
Van de Ven was equally impressive in defence, partnering effectively with Kevin Danso as the duo handled excellently with the numerous deliveries sent their way by the opposition.
Everton analysis: Everton missing striker's instinct
The club's recent stadium had been a fortress, but it seems the freshness may have faded somewhat and supporters headed to the gates after Sarr's third for Tottenham.
The end in Everton's unbeaten home run will not be a massive worry for David Moyes, but their striker situation are.
The forward and the other striker - the Toffees' pair of established strikers - had netted just a single goal combined before the weekend's match.
And they were failed to add to that poor tally on a wet and gloomy night on Merseyside.
Beto's performance was epitomized when he opted to overhead kick a golden opportunity from close range, even with having room and time to readjust for a simpler shot that would have challenged Vicario.
The substitute, too, failed to influence the game after coming on for the starter in the second half.
It was not for a shortage of chance. Most of the home side's offensive moves came through Grealish and the forward, who tirelessly whipped threatening balls into the Spurs box.
Upcoming fixtures for these two sides?
Everton: The team head to the Stadium of Light in the top flight on early November at 8 PM.
Spurs: Spurs travel to Newcastle's ground on late October for their fourth-round Carabao Cup match against the Magpies.