Paul Merson wowed by what ‘unbelievable’ Micky van de Ven did in Tottenham v Burnley
Tottenham are clinging onto a dream of Champions League football and a huge part of that is down to their star defender Micky van de Ven.
Van de Ven slotted home the in a 2-1 triumph over Burnley at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, a victory that keeps Tottenham’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League alive, driving forward before side-footing into the bottom corner and relegating Burnley in the process.
Paul Merson, covering the match on Soccer Saturday, had high praise for the 23-year-old centre-back – who he labelled ‘unbelievable’ – and expressed his bewilderment at the Dutchman being in such an advanced position to score the goal itself.
Immediately after Van de Ven found the net, Merson said on Sky Sports News (11 May, 16:42): “It’s an unbelievable (goal) by an outstanding defender. I don’t know what he is doing up there!”
Tottenham still in Champions League race after Van de Ven goal
Tottenham looked to be on the brink of their season withering out prior to Van de Ven’s winner, and would have been a seemingly unassailable six points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa with just two games remaining.
Van de Ven has been one of his side’s standouts this season, and came to the fore in this game too, achieving a 7.7 rating on SofaScore following an imposing performance at both ends.
A pacy, ball-playing centre-back, Van de Ven was assured in possession, completing 94% of his passes and finding his target with one of two attempted long balls.
While he may have lost possession five times, the Dutchman won both ground duels he was involved in, and put in two clearances, as well as making a tackle and block apiece.
With Oliver Skipp playing out of position at left-back and moving into the midfield line on several occasions, Van de Ven was often left to pin down that entire side of the Tottenham defence on his own, and kept Burnley at bay in the process.
Merson may have said that he didn’t know why Van de Ven had ventured so far forward prior to scoring the Lilywhites’ winner, but the defender had already set a precedent, driving up the field to put in a cross which registered 0.01 xG.
But it’s the sequence which led to his and Spurs’ timely winner makes for the best reading though, as Van de Ven attempted and completed his only dribble of the match before curling a sumptuous strike past Arijanet Muric – a strike which had 0.21 xG behind it.
Spurs still have it all to do if they are to overhaul Villa and seal fourth but their dream is still alive and it’s thanks to Van de Ven.
In other Tottenham news, fans will be buzzing after a deal for an “excellent” teenage starlet was finalised.
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