Micky van de Ven scored a contender for one of the best Champions League goals as Tottenham thrashed Copenhagen in a much-needed 4-0 home victory.
With Spurs leading 2-0 but down to 10 men after Brennan Johnson's red card, Van de Ven ran from the edge of his area to sprint the entire length of the pitch past several Copenhagen players before hitting a superb, powerful low finish into the bottom corner.
The defender's goal was the perfect apology for his actions on Saturday after he ignored the pleas of his boss, Thomas Frank, to applaud the Spurs fans following the wretched 1-0 home defeat to Chelsea.
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Frank joked of Van de Ven at his post-match press conference: "He can keep walking past me if he is angry after a game if he delivers this!"
This entertaining display was a far cry from the weekend's horror show as Spurs overcame one of their worst-ever statistical performances in the Premier League to hammer Copenhagen to move into the top eight of the Champions League table and remain unbeaten in this season's competition.
The morale-boosting win also saw Xavi Simons, who against Chelsea was substituted after coming off the bench, enjoy his best game for Spurs as he set up Johnson's 19th-minute opener with a fine throughball that allowed the Welshman to round the goalkeeper and finish coolly from a tight angle.
Simons could have had a hat-trick of assists in the first half, but Randal Kolo Muani fluffed his lines twice.
The striker, though, made up for his misses in the 51st minute with some relentless work to close the Copenhagen goalkeeper down and then superbly tee up Wilson Odobert to roll home.
Then came Johnson's 61st-minute red card following a VAR review for a late studs-up challenge on Gabriel Pereira.
But the sending off sparked one of Spurs' greatest-ever goals as Van de Ven scored his outrageous solo stunner to wild celebrations at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Just three minutes later, the fans were cheering again as Van de Ven's centre-back partner Cristian Romero went on a charge of his own to set up substitute Joao Palhinha for a fourth.
Not even Richarlison's missed stoppage-time penalty could dampen the mood in north London, which was given the lift it needed after Saturday's dismal showing.
Frank: Van de Ven turned into Messi!
Tottenham boss Thomas Frank at his post-match press conference:
"It seemed like we had Lionel Messi turned into Micky Van de Ven!
"Running from his own goal and all the way to the other end to score a fantastic goal. He is our top goalscorer in all competitions, he can keep going!"
On Johnson's red card: "I think I understand why it can be given but that still footage is where it looks bad. There was no recklessness in this tackle from Brennan.
"When he slides, the player steps down and then it looks bad. It was a little bit unfortunate and was harsh."
On response to Chelsea loss: "We talked a lot about that bounce-back mentality. There will be setbacks and it is how we react to that.
"That is part of a good team and I am very happy with the response, we controlled it from minute one. It is never easy. I am pretty sure we will not see them lose 4-0 again."
Analysis: Turning point for Frank's Spurs?
What a response this was from Spurs to Saturday's woeful loss to Chelsea.
There were goals, shots, plenty of attacks and only cheers from the home fans as Tottenham dismantled Copenhagen. It was everything that was not there at the weekend.
So was this goal-laden victory a turning point for Frank?
"I would say it's a step forward in terms of how we want to play," he said at his post-match press conference.
"Assist and goals from the offensive players, and also good performances. I also think the structure was good."
Copenhagen were admittedly weak opposition and provided perfect bounce-back material for Spurs.
Van de Ven said sorry in style, Xavi Simons was the player of the match, and Spurs fans left with smiles on their faces.
But the real test of this renewed optimism will come on Saturday as Tottenham host Manchester United, where another step forward can be taken ahead of the November international break.
Story of the match in stats
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