Micky van de Ven Brace Halts Everton's Unbeaten Streak at Brand New Home Ground
The Dutch defender emerged as the initial backline player to net twice in a English top-flight game for Tottenham since Jan Vertonghen in spring 2013.
At a glance
Micky Van de Ven nods into the net two times in opening period
The home side's Jake O'Brien has goal ruled after VAR review
Senegalese midfielder nets final goal in dying moments
This loss is the Merseyside club's initial at Hill Dickinson Stadium
Micky van de Ven scored twice as Spurs prolonged their winning streak in away games in the top division and handed the Toffees their initial loss at their new home.
Everton were undefeated in their last five matches at their new ground at Bramley-Moore Dock, having departed their historic home behind after more than a century at the end of the previous campaign.
But Tottenham's leader Van de Ven struck on two occasions from set-pieces in the opening 45 minutes to place their strong form at risk, and they were unable to turn it around before Pape Matar Sarr - set up by former Toffees attacker the Brazilian - nodded in a final goal to seal the victory.
The Everton defender believed he had levelled the scores a short while after the defender's first goal, directing a powerful header past Guglielmo Vicario from an Everton corner.
The Portuguese striker, meanwhile, failed to convert a handful of chances, while the Italian goalkeeper made a succession of fine saves to ensure the London club went five matches on the road unbeaten in the English top flight.
But the video assistant referee intervened, advising the match official to check the score on the screen and the referee decided that Jack Grealish and the attacker were in an illegal position and had interfered with the Spurs keeper.
The win elevates Thomas Frank's side into third place in the division, five points off local foes and table-toppers Arsenal.
The Merseyside club stay in 14th position and are six points clear of the drop zone.
Spurs breakdown: The defender excels in duties at both ends of pitch
After a drab midweek performance in the European competition against Monaco, where they mustered a mere two shots on target, Frank opted for the French striker in attack instead of ex-Everton forward Richarlison.
The new arrival was unable to make much of an impact before being substituted for Richarlison after an hour on the field, but it emerged he wasn't needed in the final outcome.
Defender the Dutchman transformed 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 toward the face of goal for an free the defender to score.
And the captain - filling in as skipper in Cristian Romero's absence - added his next goal in first-half stoppage time as he outjumped Jordan Pickford to head home.
The Dutchman was just as outstanding in defensive duties, combining well with his defensive colleague as the pair dealt excellently with the numerous deliveries thrown their way by the opposition.
Toffees breakdown: Toffees lacking finishing touch
The club's new home had been a fortress, but it seems the freshness may have worn off slightly and fans headed to the gates after Sarr's final goal for Spurs.
The break in the team's unbeaten home run will not be a major worry for David Moyes, but their attacking woes will be.
Beto and Thierno Barry - the Everton's two recognised strikers - had netted just a single goal between them before the weekend's match.
And they were failed to add to that miserable record on a damp and dreary night on in Liverpool.
Beto's performance was epitomized when he chose to overhead kick a golden opportunity from close range, even with having space and opportunity to readjust for a simpler shot that would have tested Vicario.
The substitute, too, was unable to influence the game after replacing Beto in the 65th minute.
It wasn't for a shortage of chance. The majority of Everton's attacks came through the winger and the forward, who relentlessly whipped dangerous balls into the Spurs box.
What next for these two sides?
The Toffees: The team travel to the Stadium of Light in the top flight on Monday, 3 November at 8 PM.
Spurs: The London club travel to Newcastle's ground on late October for their fourth-round Carabao Cup match against Newcastle.