Micky van de Ven insists Tottenham are 'more dangerous' this season in push for silverware | OneFootball

Spurs hammered Everton in their opening home match of the Premier League season

Micky van de Ven believes Tottenham have more variety in attack than last season as he targeted winning a trophy following Saturday's 4-0 thrashing of Everton.

Yves Bissouma opened the scoring with a fine finish from the edge of the box and Son doubled their lead with a brilliant piece of opportunism when he pickpocketed Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. Cristian Romero headed home on his 100th appearance for the club, before Van de Van and the captain combined.

Dejan Kulusevski caught the eye in an unfamiliar No8 role, debutant Wilson Odobert, 19, was lively and James Maddison looked back to his best.

"I think we are more dangerous this year," Van de Ven said afterwards. "Like the gaffer has said, we can play down the side or through middle, and two or three balls from Cuti [Romero] to Maddison were really dangerous. I think there are more threats from us this year.

"We need to reach another level this season. Last year we were fifth, so it was a good season, but we want more. We want to win a trophy, that’s clear."

As Everton pushed for a late consolation goal, Van de Ven won the ball on the edge of his own box and charged up the pitch, holding off two opponents before slipping in Son, who finished between Pickford's legs.

Micky van de Ven provided a sensational assist for Heung-min Son’s second goal

REUTERS

Postecoglou afterwards described Van de Ven as a "special footballer", and the Dutchman says some credit for his run belongs to the manager, who gives his players the freedom to improvise.

"I just decided to keep running, hopefully nobody could stop me, and nothing happened," he said. "I knew Sonny was on my left so I kept driving at the centre back and at the right moment I played Sonny in and he made a good finish.

"I think they [the fans] loved the moment. When I was dribbling with the ball you could sense everyone in the stadium was getting really hyped and, yeah, it went off.

“We have the possibility to do this, Ange gives us the possibility to do it and he's never like, 'The centre-backs have to stay behind'. I feel comfortable to play like this.

“He trusts his defenders, and he trusts everybody in the team to do what they want to do, and it’s really important for us to feel that trust and have the confidence to do it."

Asked if he was tempted to shoot, Van de Ven added: "No - I saw Sonny and I knew he would finish it off."

Bissouma marked his return to the team by breaking the deadlock with his first Spurs goal after being banned for the opening-day draw at Leicester for inhaling laughing gas.

“Biss gave a really good performance, but you’ll have to ask the gaffer if it’s all finished now," Van de Ven said.

"He showed a really good responsibility this week."