Ange Postecoglou has praised an “excellent” show from Micky van de Ven after the defender’s aim helped Tottenham climb into the Premier League’s high 4 with a 3-1 win towards Nottingham Forest.
Spurs have misplaced just one league recreation that the 22-year-old defender has accomplished since becoming a member of from Wolfsburg and his second-half strike to revive their lead helped change the form of Sunday’s recreation wherein Forest had arguably been on high till that time.
A hamstring harm suffered in the course of the dwelling defeat to Chelsea in November compelled him to overlook 9 video games and coincided with a collapse in type that noticed Spurs drop from high of the desk to fifth.
“He is received an actual urge for food and willpower for being the most effective he might be in each recreation,” mentioned Postecoglou.
“His defensive work was excellent once more at this time and it is an important strike for the aim from a well-worked set-piece.
“It is credit score to him. We’re not those who’re going to place any limits on his progress. We maintain offering an surroundings for these guys to maintain pushing themselves. Not simply Micky however others can be dragged alongside as properly as a result of they’re all competing.”
The house facet took the lead within the first half by way of an personal aim from Forest defender Danilo, sliding in to show Timo Werner’s low cross from the left previous his personal goalkeeper.
Chris Wooden levelled with a wise first-time end from Anthony Elanga’s move however the recreation turned on an opportunity that fell to the New Zealand striker moments later, thumping the ball towards the publish from two yards out with the aim seemingly at his mercy.
The matched then modified within the area of six decisive second-half minutes.
First, van de Ven smashed in his first aim at dwelling for the membership from the sting of the field, beating Matz Sels with a depraved drive after being arrange by Son Heung-min.
Then, Pedro Porro matched the feat of his fellow defender with a bullet of his personal to ship Spurs above Aston Villa and into pole place to complete fourth.
“I could not care much less in regards to the race for fourth,” mentioned Postecoglou. “What I care about is the way in which the crew is progressing.
“Happy with at this time. It had a bit little bit of every little thing. We began the sport properly, not simply the aim, I believed we managed the sport properly.”
“Then we conceded from a counter assault which was clearly disappointing. I believed we misplaced our means a bit bit in direction of the again finish of that first half however an excellent response and the entire second half we had been actually dominant.”
