LONDON, Nov 5 — Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven got back in favour with Thomas Frank as the defender’s stunning solo goal in today’s 4-0 rout of Copenhagen drew comparisons with Lionel Messi.
Van de Ven and Djed Spence were forced to apologise to Tottenham boss Frank this week after they ignored his plea to applaud fans following Saturday’s loss to Chelsea.
The pair, frustrated by boos from angry Tottenham fans during the Premier League defeat, walked straight down the tunnel rather than follow Frank’s order.
But Van de Ven retained his place in the starting line-up and made peace with his manager and the supporters with a Champions League moment of magic.
He ran over half the length of the pitch before delivering a clinical finish that ranks among the best goals scored in the Champions League so far this season.
By then Tottenham were already leading by two goals thanks to strikes from Brennan Johnson and Wilson Odobert in north London.
Johnson was sent off in the second half when his lunge on Marcos Lopez was upgraded from a booking to a red card after VAR intervened.
Joao Palhinha netted the fourth goal as Tottenham won for only the second time in their last six matches in all competitions.
Saluting Van de Ven’s wonder-goal, Frank invoked Argentine superstar Messi.
“That could be the goal of the season. It was like Messi turned into a centre back,” he said.
Van de Ven added: “I started dribbling and I thought I would see if they would catch up. They didn’t. I felt amazing.”
Frank’s side remain unbeaten in this season’s Champions League with two wins and two draws ahead of their trip to holders Paris Saint-Germain later in November.
Tottenham had produced only one shot on target against Chelsea as they endured yet another dismal defeat on home turf in 2025.
But this was exactly the kind of attacking display that Tottenham fans demand, albeit their first home win since September 24 came against weak opponents.
“In life and football after a bad performance or situation it is about how you react,” Frank said.
“Our players have had a great bounce-back mentality in the last few days. They have wanted to turn things around and win. We controlled it from minute one and even after the red card.”
