Every word Thomas Frank said on Everton win, Van de Ven and whether Tottenham are title contenders

Thomas Frank has just delivered his verdict of Tottenham's sublime 3-0 win on the road at Everton. Spurs had to dig deep at times but nobody could dispute that they were worthy winners as they also showcased their quality from set pieces.

Micky van de Ven headed in from two corners before substitute Pape Matar Sarr added gloss to the scoreline just a few minutes from time.

Here is every word Frank said on his side's rampant win on Merseyside.

You must be so pleased to come to such a difficult ground and win so convincingly?

"Very, very happy with that, I think we were all very solid performance, especially pleased with the first half. I think we were good in phase one, good in phase two. More passes, control of the game, more in phases. In general, the second half was a little bit more of a dogfight at times. Going here to Everton, which is against a very good team, well set up by David Moyes and a very good home crowd, they've been unbeaten here so far. To any ground in the Premier League, to win 3-0 away from home is a very good result. So, yeah, very happy, happy with obviously the set pieces as well. What I would say, the clean sheet mentality, that is a very good foundation to stand on.

"That gives you an ability to perform at a certain level where you want to always do a little bit more, but be really, how can you say, competitive and especially away from home. And then I think we are, is it three years ago we played Champions League, or three years ago? but it's still quite an inexperienced Champions League squad to go every third or fourth day. And one of the most difficult things with that is to be able to compete in both tournaments and especially after an away trip in Champions League and then go away in the Premier League again. So to keep the energy, the focus, the intensity to be able to do that, I'm very pleased with the players, how they handled that to get the win today. Plus, we also did it after Boulogne, travel, then travel to Leeds and win. So I think it shows a lot about that mentality. There's things we like to work on, but the most important thing is the mentality."

How important have Van de Ven and Vicario been in absence of captain Romero? Both brilliant today?

"Yeah, I agree. And I think we've maybe forgotten Kevin Danso, maybe he was not as highlighted as the two others.
But I think Kevin has done very well to step in, in big, big shoes to fill out after Cuti. But Micky, man of the match, clearly defended well, two goals, not two clean sheets, two goals and good on the ball. And I think Vicario, man of the match in Monaco. But today I think his performance was more complete, good with the feet, very good in the box and two exceptional saves."

READ MORE: Tottenham player ratings vs Everton: Van de Ven and Vicario brilliant as Bentancur makes statement

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There's been a lot of talk about Palhinha and Bentancur...

"Thanks for that question! I was looking forward to it, if you didn't mention that, I probably would have said something. In these types of games it's clear what they bring to the team. I think it's very clear. I think both of them today were excellent. I think they were very good on the ball. I think they were excellent defensively, landed on the second ball when they needed to. I think we controlled the game more, I think the bounce passes and the bits and pieces to build up and control the game was very good. So in a time where we are building and going to the next level, I think they are extremely important."

You've had success from attacking set-pieces, what about defending them? What have you and Andreas Georgson done this summer to improve the team's record?

"I agree that today of course we scored two goals, but it's equally important that we can keep the ball out of the net. And the team did very well and I think Andreas and Sean, our set-piece managers, have done a top job with the team throughout, from when we started to now. That's both a structure of how we want to do it, but also we know when there's a structure but there's also the physicality and then you need the desire."

Van de Ven didn't score any goals last season but now he has five in 14 appearances, what have you done?

"First and foremost, I think he's really growing and taking some big steps. I'm very pleased with him overall. I think he's taking more leadership. I think he's defending better and better, not only using his pace but also more clever positions. I'm very happy with that. And then I said, actually at the beginning of the season, I said, it's OK you score with your left foot and your right foot, but you need to score more goals with your head. You're centre- back. And then we have worked with it and that's a big praise to Micky, but especially to Andreas and the way he, how can you say, attack the ball, also get in there where it hurts, I think is key. Now, yeah, hopefully it will continue.

Away form has been so good, more points than any other PL side, what does that say?

"I think normally it's very difficult to do that and it's been very difficult, no doubt about that. But I think to have a foundation where we have a solid foundation, but of course when you go away from home, you normally need to defend a little bit more, especially where we are. And I think how we defend high, high pressure, but especially the middle block, but also the box, I think is important. Set pieces, both boxes, can make a difference on a day like that. Then we're adding layers. And then the overall thing, as I said, is that mentality to want to run hard and every team need to do that."

Kolo Muani, how do you think he did on first start?

"I think it was pleasing to see his first 60 minutes. He's still building his physicality and sharpness. I'm pleased with what I saw, but it's the first steps, so there's more to come. I think in times I like some of the movement, the interactions with the front four, but that is an ongoing project or process.

Xavi Simons, how did you rate his performance?

"I think he found some good positions. And maybe the final top actions are still missing, but I think still there was good actions. He just needs to keep going, keep building and keep working on it."

On celebrating in front of fans, symbolic after win like this?

"Yeah, maybe. But I think it's a big part. I think it's important to do it when we win. It's important to do it when we draw.
It's important also to do it when we lose. Because we're in it in good times and bad times. And, of course, it's a very good time today. Very happy with a win, a difficult-to-win win. But, of course, as you say, the togetherness that is on and off the pitch, that is between players, staff, fans, the stronger that can be, the better it will be."

Porro corners, deliberately narrow to post?

"I think we have a plan to play close to the goal, but it's sometimes difficult to hit it that precise all the time. But as long as it's in a very good area, close to goal, then there's more opportunities to potentially score.

How far can this side go?

"I think we are in the beginning of building something. I'm very happy with a lot of things. As I said, the defensive side of it, mentality, set-pieces, but I think there's a bit we need to work on, especially offensively, to be more free-floating still. And for me, it's a long season ahead. I'm very happy going away from home after two away games in the Champions League. That's a big part of it. But to continue performing day in, day out is a challenge, which we embrace and want to do."

Do you see the team as title contenders?

"No. That, I think, is probably a few teams that are ahead of us. I think it's fair to say that. I'm only thinking one game at a time, and let's see where we are in April."