Van de Ven Brace Ends Everton's Unbeaten Streak at New Stadium
The Dutch defender became the initial defender to score twice in a Premier League match for Tottenham since Jan Vertonghen in spring 2013.
Key points
Micky Van de Ven heads home two times in opening period
The home side's Jake O'Brien has equalizer ruled after video check
Pape Matar Sarr scores final goal in 89th minute
The defeat is the Merseyside club's initial at their new ground
The Tottenham defender scored twice as Tottenham extended their winning streak on the road in the Premier League and delivered the Toffees their first defeat at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Everton were undefeated in their last five matches at their recently opened stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, having departed Goodison Park behind after more than a century at the end of the previous campaign.
But Spurs captain Van de Ven struck twice from corners 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 - headed home a third to put the game to bed.
The Everton defender thought he had levelled the tally a short while after the defender's opener, glancing a powerful header past the Spurs keeper from an Everton corner.
Beto, in the meantime, missed a handful of chances, while the Italian goalkeeper made a series of excellent saves to ensure Tottenham went five away games without defeat in the English top flight.
But the VAR intervened, instructing the match official to check the goal on the pitchside monitor and the official ruled that Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye were in offside positions and had impeded with the Spurs keeper.
This victory elevates the manager's team into third place in the Premier League, five points off local foes and table-toppers the Gunners.
Everton remain in 14th position and sit six points ahead of the relegation zone.
Spurs breakdown: Van de Ven excels in role at both ends of the field
Following a drab weekday performance in the Champions League against Monaco, where they managed a only two shots on goal, the manager opted for the French striker up front instead of former Toffees player Richarlison.
The new arrival was unable to make much of an impact before being replaced for the substitute after 60 minutes on the pitch, but it turns out he wasn't needed in the final outcome.
Centre-back the Dutchman transformed into an offensive threat to be feared.
Spurs' first goal came from a cleverly executed corner routine, with the midfielder heading the ball toward the face of goal for an free the defender to head home.
And the captain - filling in as skipper in Cristian Romero's absence - added his second in first-half stoppage time as he rose above the England keeper to nod in.
The Dutchman was equally impressive in defensive duties, combining effectively with his defensive colleague as the duo handled superbly with the 34 crosses sent their way by Everton.
Everton analysis: Everton lacking striker's instinct
The club's recent stadium had been a happy hunting ground, but it seems the freshness may have faded somewhat and fans headed to the exits after the midfielder's third for Tottenham.
The end in the team's unbeaten home run will not be a major concern for the manager, but their striker situation will be.
Beto and the other striker - the Toffees' pair of established centre-forwards - had netted only a single goal combined before the weekend's match.
And they were unable to contribute to that poor tally on a damp and dreary evening on Merseyside.
The striker's performance was epitomized when he chose to overhead kick a clear chance from close range, despite having space and time to readjust for a simpler attempt that would have tested the keeper.
The substitute, too, was unable to influence the game after replacing the starter in the 65th minute.
It wasn't for a shortage of opportunity. The majority of Everton's offensive moves came through Grealish and the forward, who relentlessly whipped dangerous balls into the Spurs box.
Upcoming fixtures for both teams?
Everton: The team head to Sunderland in the top flight on early November at 20:00 GMT.
Tottenham: The London club travel to Newcastle's ground on Wednesday, 29 October for their next round Carabao Cup match against Newcastle.