Van de Ven Brace Ends The Toffees' Unbeaten Streak at New Stadium
The Dutch defender became the initial defender to net twice in a English top-flight game for Tottenham since Jan Vertonghen in spring 2013.
Key points
The Spurs defender heads home twice in opening period
The home side's defender has equalizer disallowed after VAR review
Senegalese midfielder nets third in dying moments
This loss is Everton's initial at Hill Dickinson Stadium
Micky van de Ven found the net twice as Tottenham prolonged their unbeaten run in away games in the Premier League and delivered Everton their initial loss at their new home.
The Toffees were undefeated in their last five matches at their recently opened stadium at the dockside location, having left Goodison Park behind after more than a century at the end of the previous campaign.
But Spurs captain Van de Ven struck on two occasions from set-pieces in the first half to place their strong form at risk, and they were failed to turn it around before the midfielder - set up by former Toffees attacker Richarlison - headed home a third to put the game to bed.
Jake O'Brien believed he had levelled the scores a short while after the defender's first goal, glancing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an set-piece.
The Portuguese striker, in the meantime, missed a number of chances, while the Italian goalkeeper made a succession of excellent stops to ensure Tottenham went five matches on the road without defeat in the English top flight.
But the VAR 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 impeded with the Tottenham goalkeeper.
This victory moves the manager's side into third place in the division, five points off local foes and leaders the Gunners.
Everton remain in 14th position and are half a dozen points clear of the relegation zone.
Spurs breakdown: The defender excels in duties at each end of the field
After a uninspiring weekday performance in the European competition against Monaco, where they mustered a only two shots on target, the manager opted for the French striker in attack instead of former Toffees player Richarlison.
The summer signing was unable to make much of an impact before being substituted for the substitute after 60 minutes on the field, but it turns out he wasn't needed in the final outcome.
Centre-back the Dutchman converted into an attacking force to be reckoned with.
Tottenham's opening strike came from a well-worked set-piece play, with Rodrigo Bentancur heading the ball back across the six-yard box for an free the defender to score.
And the captain - stepping up as captain in the Argentine's unavailability - notched his second in first-half stoppage time as he rose above the England keeper to nod in.
Van de Ven was just as outstanding in defence, combining effectively with his defensive colleague as the pair handled excellently with the numerous deliveries thrown their way by the opposition.
Toffees breakdown: Everton missing finishing touch
Everton's recent stadium had been a happy hunting ground, but it appears the freshness may have faded 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 major worry for David Moyes, but their striker situation will be.
Beto and the other striker - the Everton's two established centre-forwards - had netted just one league goal between them before the weekend's match.
And they were unable to add to that poor record on a wet and gloomy night on Merseyside.
Beto's performance was summed up when he opted to overhead kick a clear chance from near the goal, despite having space and opportunity to reposition for a simpler attempt that would have challenged the keeper.
Barry, too, was unable to influence the game after replacing Beto in the 65th minute.
It wasn't for a shortage of opportunity. Most of Everton's attacks came through the winger and the forward, who tirelessly whipped dangerous crosses into the Spurs box.
What next for both teams?
The Toffees: The team travel to Sunderland in the Premier League on early November at 20:00 GMT.
Tottenham: The London club travel to Newcastle's ground on Wednesday, 29 October for their fourth-round Carabao Cup match against the Magpies.