Sky pundit says Tottenham have a 22-year-old who’s just ‘so important’

Add as preferred source on Google

Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven earned praise from Sky Sports pundit Sue Smith for his efforts on Saturday.

The Spurs centre-back delivered a solid performance for Ange Postecoglou’s charges, despite Everton scoring late to claim a 2-2 draw.

Van de Ven used his pace to deny the opposition on a number of occasions following balls over the top.

In the first half, the 22-year-old made up ground to get a tackle in on Dominic Calvert-Lewin. He did the same after the break after Jack Harrison sprinted clear.

Indeed, Van de Ven was very much on par with Richarlison as Tottenham’s man of the match.

Micky van de Ven shines for Tottenham

As per The Spurs Watch, he won six duels, made six clearances, recovered the ball four times, won three tackles and made one last-man tackle. His pass accuracy was also high, at 91 percent.

Smith said on Sky Sports News during the match: “Everton have done okay in the second half, but the returning Van de Ven has been so important for Spurs with his recovery runs.”

It’s a shame that Van de Ven couldn’t be on the winning side considering how good his display was, but Tottenham are still a work in progress and Everton are a tricky opponent.

And that’s even before getting onto the topic of the Toffees players’ apparent targeting of Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario during the match.

Tottenham twice pegged back as Everton claim share of the spoils

Richarlison gave Spurs the lead early on when he swept home Destiny Udogie’s cross, but the hosts equalised in controversial fashion on 30 minutes.

Jack Harrison was tasked with man-marking Vicario, and as a corner was swung in, the Tottenham keeper couldn’t parry the ball to safety as he went to ground.

James Tarkowski flicked the ball back towards centre and Dominic Calvert-Lewin was on hand to nod into the empty net, taking a touch off Harrison on the way in.

Tottenham managed to get in front through Richarlison once again, the Brazilian curling home from outside the box after James Maddison poked the ball his way.

However, Spurs conceded right at the end of the match, Jarrad Branthwaite nodding home from point-blank range after Cristian Romero had headed the ball into danger.