Tottenham secured a much-needed 4-0 win at home over Copenhagen, with Micky van de Ven scoring one of the Champions League’s best goalscorers.
With Spurs leading 2-0 but reduced to 10 men after Brennan Johnson’s red card, Van de Ven ran from the edge of the area, past several Copenhagen players, sprinted down the pitch and finally fired a stunning, powerful, low finish into the bottom corner of the goal.
The defender’s goal was the perfect apology for his actions on Saturday, when he ignored boss Thomas Frank’s pleas for Spurs fans to applaud after their disastrous 1-0 home defeat to Chelsea.
Tottenham’s Micky van de Ven celebrates after scoring sensational goal
Frank joked about Van de Ven in the post-match press conference: “If you tell me this, you can walk right past me even if you’re angry after the game!”
Spurs had their worst ever run in the Premier League, taking Copenhagen to the top eight of the Champions League and remaining unbeaten in the competition this season. This entertaining show was far from a weekend horror show.
The morale-boosting victory also saw Xavi Simmons enjoy his best game for Spurs, having come off the bench against Chelsea, setting up Johnson’s 19th-minute opener with a superb through ball, before the Welshman calmly slotted home from a wide angle past the keeper.
Simmons could have had a hat trick of assists in the first half, but Randall Kolo Muani whiffed off the line twice.
However, the striker made up for his mistake in the 51st minute with some relentless work to contain the Copenhagen goalkeeper, before teeing up Wilson Odbert brilliantly and rolling home.
Wilson Odbert doubles Spurs’ lead.
Johnson was then given a red card in the 61st minute following a VAR review for a late stud-up challenge on Gabriel Pereira.
But this sending off sparked one of the biggest goals in Spurs history, with Van de Ven scoring an outrageous solo stud goal to wild celebrations at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Just three minutes later, the fans cheered again when Van de Ven’s centre-back partner Cristian Romero charged in himself to slot in substitute Joao Parinha for the fourth goal.
Even Richarlison’s missed penalty in stoppage time did nothing to dampen the mood in north London, which was feeling some much-needed euphoria after Saturday’s dismal result.
Frank: Van de Ven has become Messi!
Tottenham manager Thomas Frank said this in the post-match press conference.
“It was like Lionel Messi turned into Mickey van de Ven!
“He ran from goal to goal and scored a great goal. He has been our top scorer in all competitions and he can continue to do so!”
On Johnson’s red card: “I think I understand why it was given, but when you look at that still image, it just doesn’t look good. There was nothing reckless about that tackle on Brennan.”
“When he slid, the player fell back and it looked bad. It was a little disappointing and tough.”
On the Chelsea defeat: “We talked a lot about that bounce-back mentality. There’s always going to be setbacks and it’s how you deal with them.
“That’s a good team and I’m very happy with the reaction. We were in control from the start. It’s never easy. I’m sure we won’t see them lose 4-0 again.”
Analysis: A turning point for Frank’s Spurs?
Joao Parinha celebrates after scoring his fourth goal
What a great response this was for Spurs to their miserable loss to Chelsea on Saturday.
There were goals, shots, lots of attack and only cheers from the home fans as Tottenham demolished Copenhagen. It was everything I didn’t have on the weekend.
So was this goal-filled victory a turning point for Frank?
“I would say this is a step forward in terms of how we want to play,” he said in the post-match press conference.
“The offensive line’s assists, goals, and good performance. I think it was put together well.”
Copenhagen was clearly a weaker opponent and was the perfect bounce back for Spurs.
Van de Ven said he was sorry in style, Xavi Simmons was the player of the game and the Spurs fan left with a smile on his face.
But the real test of this newfound optimism will be on Saturday when Tottenham host Manchester United, potentially taking another step forward into the November international break.
