Micky van de Ven has called on Tottenham to use the trauma of their worst season in decades as the foundation for renewal, after Joao Palhinha’s first-half strike earned a 1-0 win over Everton that secured Premier League survival on the final day.
The result ensured a 49th consecutive year of top-flight football for Spurs, while West Ham’s 3-0 win over Leeds at the London Stadium was ultimately not enough to save them.
The atmosphere at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was extraordinary from the moment the team bus arrived, and Palhinha’s strike in the 42nd minute would prove to be the moment that kept Spurs in the division.
Nerves returned when news filtered through from the London Stadium that West Ham had scored twice to threaten the equation, and Everton grew into the game in the second half. But Van de Ven and Antonin Kinsky were outstanding in keeping the door shut through nine minutes of agonising stoppage time.
After safety was secured, Van de Ven was visibily emotional at the final whistle.
“It was emotional when the final whistle went. It has been a tough season, we’ve suffered so much. It was so tough mentally and physically. We played really well in the first half and dominated without taking our chances. We had to defend in the second half.”
He also made the clearest possible statement about where this club must go from here.
“I’m really confident. With the right people now here – the right manager – I’m confident. Finishing 17th two years in a row is unacceptable for us.”
On the fans, who created a wall of noise that carried the team through the most fraught moments of the afternoon, Van de Ven was direct in his gratitude.
“The fans were unbelievable over the last few games to help us. When we arrived from the bus to the end of the game they were the 12th man.
“Everton were unbelievable, they kept pushing us and when we needed to defend but they kept pushing, I think they were a massive part of the win.”
“It is unacceptable that the last game we played this season we play for relegation. This club has some unbelievable players. It was embarrassing to let it come to the final day but we did it and that is what is important.”
De Zerbi: ‘We have to build a top, top, top team’
Roberto De Zerbi, who arrived at the club in February with Spurs already deep in trouble and has overseen five wins from eight games in all competitions since, allowed himself a moment of pride before pivoting towards what comes next.
“We worked well but I’m lucky because we have a lot of big players. You can see the game today and see that under big pressure they played fantastic with the ball. Maybe it was the best performance in my time here. It was an incredible game. The football was nice because if you give your best then the results will come.
“When we came on the bus today before the game it was incredible. It was more than emotion. We had a meeting yesterday and I asked the players to play with the fans because they can’t change the club. Players and managers can change the club but fans can’t.
“Next season we have to build a top, top, top team. We don’t have to change too many players in our squad but we have to bring in some first level players.”
