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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Matt Verri

Watch: Micky van de Ven sparks Lionel Messi comparisons with Tottenham wondergoal

Micky van de Ven scored a stunning goal in Tottenham’s win over Copenhagen - (AFP via Getty Images)

Thomas Frank joked Micky van de Ven can "keep walking past me if he's angry" after his stunning goal in Tottenham's win over Copenhagen.

The Dutchman made headlines in the aftermath of Spurs' defeat to Chelsea on Saturday when he walked straight down the tunnel, marching past Frank as he told the defender to go and applaud the fans.

Van de Ven, and Spence who followed him off the pitch, both went to Frank's office to apologise on Sunday and the Spurs boss confirmed he viewed the matter as closed.

Van de Ven scored his sixth goal of the season and one that could be a contender Puskas Award.

With Spurs 2-0 up but reduced to ten men, he picked the ball up on the edge of his box, sprinted past four players and ran the length of the pitch before tucking home a cool finish.

That eased any nerves, as Spurs went on to win 4-0 and maintain their unbeaten start to the Champions League campaign.

Asked if he had seen a better goal scored by a defender, Frank said: "I definitely need to think a little bit about that.

"But it seems like we had Lionel Messi turned into Micky van der Ven running down from his own goal and all the way to the other end and scored a fantastic goal. I think he's our top scorer in all competitions, so he can keep going."

Frank added with a laugh: "He can keep walking past me if he's angry after a game!"

Xavi Simons had probably his best game in a Spurs shirt, providing the assist for Brennan Johnson's opener.

The Dutchman also put two huge chances on a plate for Randal Kolo Muani before the break, but the Frenchman wasted both.

After Johnson was shown a straight red card for sliding in and catching Marcos Lopez, it was Simons who was sacrificed on the hour mark to allow Joao Palhinha to come on.

Simons was visibly disappointed as he trudged off, but Frank was encouraged by the 22-year-old's performance.

"I think that was a step forward today," Frank said.

"I'm very happy for him. I think it was a good assist. A little bit more sharpness for him and the other players, I think he probably had one more assist.

"I think he found good pockets, good spaces. I'm really pleased with that. Of course, I understand his disappointment in the moment. But it's always about the team, of course. At that stage, it's 2-0.

"We are still building layers in this team. I think it's obvious that we are progressing forward but are not where we want to be. In that situation, we just take no risk and put a more defensive player in.

"Which afterwards, of course, looks to be an absolutely top decision. But you never know."

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