In a heart-stopping twist, Tottenham Hotspur narrowly escaped another wave of scorn thanks to a jaw-dropping solo effort from their star defender—but does this mask deeper problems that could unravel their season?
Dive into the drama as we unpack how Micky van de Ven's moment of magic shielded Spurs from further embarrassment against FC Copenhagen, even as whispers of internal panic grow louder.
Tottenham's talisman, Micky van de Ven, stepped up as the hero once again, scoring a contender for goal of the season against Copenhagen and helping to mask the glaring weaknesses that have plagued the team under manager Thomas Frank. Frank, who took charge just recently, faced his toughest challenge yet on Saturday when Spurs suffered a crushing 1-0 defeat, registering one of their lowest expected goals (xG) figures ever in a Premier League game at just 0.1. This dismal performance wasn't just a blip—it highlighted ongoing struggles at home and a worrying lack of firepower up front.
But here's where it gets controversial: With Spurs sitting in sixth place, fans and critics are questioning if their league position truly reflects their form, especially after such an abysmal outing. Some argue it's a facade, pointing to Frank's squad being dubbed a 'League Two team' by outspoken pundits like Jamie Carragher, who called for changes after a loss to Chelsea. Is this harsh, or does it capture the reality of a team that's underperforming against tougher competition? We'll explore that tension as we go.
Fortunately for Spurs and Frank, they had a golden opportunity to bounce back with their first home win since late September against League One's Doncaster Rovers, facing FC Copenhagen—a side that hadn't yet defeated an English team on the road. Copenhagen also came in vulnerable, having shipped two or more goals in each of their last five Champions League matches and a staggering 14 overall, making them a soft target for Tottenham's misfiring strikers to regain some confidence.
That vulnerability showed early as Spurs dominated the opening stages, pinning Copenhagen back in their own half. The breakthrough came around the 20-minute mark when a sloppy pass was intercepted by Rodrigo Bentancur, who passed to summer arrival Xavi Simons. Simons lofted a perfect through ball to Brennan Johnson, and Copenhagen's goalkeeper, Dominik Kotarski, made a disastrous choice by charging out recklessly—only to be dribbled around as Johnson slotted home from a tight angle into an empty net.
This should have been the springboard for a comfortable victory, but Spurs squandered chances before halftime. Simons, often compared to Antony and recently criticized as 'bang average' in some quarters, was central to their attacks. He nearly set up a second with a clever exchange with Wilson Odobert, but Randal Kolo Muani missed a sitter by dragging his shot wide. Then, just before the break, Simons delivered a pinpoint cross for Kolo Muani to head in from inside the six-yard box, but the striker nodded it over the bar.
For beginners in football analysis, expected goals (xG) is a metric that predicts how many goals a team should score based on shot quality and chances created—here, Spurs' low xG of 0.1 meant they barely threatened despite dominating possession at 67%. Against a stronger side, these errors could have been costly, as Spurs were also sloppy defensively and managed just two shots on target in the first half.
And this is the part most people miss: Just when frustration was building among the fans, Kotarski handed Spurs another gift. He misplayed a long ball from Pedro Porro, allowing Kolo Muani to get there first and square it for Odobert to tap in from close range. While it didn't erase Kolo Muani's earlier blunders, it showcased his potential with a composed assist—something he desperately needs after struggling for goals.
Minutes later, Johnson's reckless sliding tackle earned him a red card, setting up a classic 'Spursy' comeback scenario where the team collapses. But their two center-backs, who double as their most potent attackers, saved the day.
First, top scorer Micky van de Ven grabbed his sixth goal of the 2024/25 season—an absolute stunner that saw him sprint the entire length of the pitch and finish past Kotarski with clinical precision. You can almost hear the shocked fan's off-mic expletive: 'OH MY WORD MICKY VAN DE VEN!' As shared on social media, it was a breathtaking individual effort that could easily win awards.
This inspired captain Cristian Romero to join the fray. Almost immediately after restart, Romero stormed into the penalty area and set up Joao Palhinha for his fourth goal. Richarlison even hit the bar from the spot in stoppage time, missing out on a fifth, but it still marked Frank's biggest triumph at Spurs.
The win injected much-needed positivity, giving Frank and his squad the boost they craved. Yet, Van de Ven's brilliance somewhat conceals the cracks that would have widened against a tougher opponent. Beyond Simons' standout display, issues persist: Kolo Muani's finishing woes and the team's disjointed play fuel reports of 'desperation' within the club for fresh attackers in January. Spurs can't afford to get complacent—especially with Manchester United looming next.
But let's stir the pot: Is relying on defensive heroes like Van de Ven to bail out the attack sustainable, or does it highlight a flawed strategy that Frank needs to overhaul? Critics might say this win against Copenhagen is a fluke against weak opposition, papering over the 'rag-tag mess' described in recent analyses. What do you think—does this victory justify keeping the faith in Frank, or is it time for drastic changes? Share your thoughts in the comments: Agree that Spurs dodged a bullet, or disagree that this exposes fatal flaws? Let's discuss!
