Van de Ven Brace Ends Everton's Unbeaten Streak at Brand New Home Ground
Micky van de Ven emerged as the first defender to score two goals in a Premier League game for Tottenham since the Belgian defender in March 2013.
Key points
Micky Van de Ven heads home two times in first half
The home side's defender has equalizer disallowed after VAR review
Senegalese midfielder nets third in 89th minute
The defeat is the Merseyside club's first at their new ground
Micky van de Ven scored on two occasions as Tottenham prolonged their unbeaten run in away games in the Premier League and delivered the Toffees their first defeat at their new home.
The Toffees were undefeated in their five previous fixtures at their recently opened stadium at the dockside location, having left Goodison Park behind after 133 years at the conclusion of last season.
But Tottenham's leader Van de Ven struck on two occasions from corners in the opening 45 minutes to place their impressive record at risk, and they were unable to turn it around before the midfielder - assisted by former Toffees attacker Richarlison - nodded in a final goal to seal the victory.
Jake O'Brien believed he had levelled the scores five minutes after Van de Ven's opener, directing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an set-piece.
Beto, meanwhile, failed to convert a number of chances, while Vicario made a series of excellent stops to guarantee Tottenham went five matches on the road without defeat in the Premier League.
But the VAR intervened, advising Craig Pawson to review the score on the screen and the referee 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 into third place in the Premier League, a handful of points off local foes and table-toppers the Gunners.
The Merseyside club stay 14th and sit six points ahead of the drop zone.
Spurs breakdown: The defender fulfils duties at both ends of the field
Following a drab midweek display in the Champions League against Monaco, where they mustered a mere attempts on target, Frank chose the French striker up front instead of former Toffees player the Brazilian.
The new arrival was failed to influence the game before being replaced for Richarlison after 60 minutes on the pitch, but it turns out he proved unnecessary in the final outcome.
Defender the Dutchman converted into an attacking force to be feared.
Spurs' opening strike came from a well-worked set-piece play, with Rodrigo Bentancur heading the ball toward the six-yard box for an free Van de Ven to head home.
And the captain - stepping up as skipper in the Argentine's absence - notched his next goal in first-half stoppage time as he outjumped the England keeper to head home.
The Dutchman was equally impressive in defence, combining well with Kevin Danso as the duo dealt superbly with the 34 crosses thrown their way by the opposition.
Toffees breakdown: Toffees lacking finishing touch
The club's new home had been a happy hunting ground, but it appears the freshness may have worn off somewhat and supporters headed to the gates after Sarr's third for Spurs.
The end in Everton's unbeaten home run will not be a massive worry for David Moyes, but their attacking woes will be.
Beto and the other striker - the Everton's two recognised centre-forwards - had netted only one league goal between them before Sunday's match.
And they were failed to add to that poor tally on a damp and dreary night on in Liverpool.
The striker's performance was epitomized when he opted to bicycle-kick a golden opportunity from near the goal, despite having room and opportunity to readjust for a simpler attempt that would have challenged Vicario.
The substitute, as well, failed to influence the game after coming on for the starter in the 65th minute.
It was not for a lack of chance. The majority of Everton's offensive moves came through Grealish and Ndiaye, who relentlessly whipped threatening crosses into the Spurs penalty area.
What next for these two sides?
The Toffees: The team travel to Sunderland in the Premier League on Monday, 3 November at 8 PM.
Spurs: The London club travel to St James' Park on Wednesday, 29 October for their fourth-round Carabao Cup match against the Magpies.