Cristian Romero's absence at the Hill Dickinson Stadium didn't hurt Tottenham on Sunday afternoon thanks to the stellar performance of Kevin Danso alongside Micky van de Ven.
While the Dutchman garnered plenty of plaudits for his first-half brace, which put Thomas Frank's set-piece deviants into a commanding position, Danso's display shouldn't go under the radar.
Frank was once again without his captain due to a minor issue that the Dane believes will only sideline Romero for a brief period. Spurs suffered in his absence during the defeat to Aston Villa and the goalless draw with Monaco, but the difference in game state meant the drop-off in quality in possession wasn't so distinct on Merseyside.
Van de Ven nodded Spurs into a 19th-minute lead, which placed less onus on the visitors to take the game to an Everton team that were yet to be beaten at their impressive new stadium. The doubling of our advantage on the stroke of half-time thrust Frank's side into contain mode, and that's when Big Kev came to the fore for the Lilywhites.
Kevin Danso set a 2025/26 Premier League record in Everton win
While he's only played a sporadic role since joining the club earlier this year, Danso has emerged as a fan favourite in N17. A tremendous character with a smile capable of lighting up the London Borough of Enfield, the Austrian international is an excellent option to have when Romero is sidelined, even if no one can replace the Argentine's outstanding passing ability.
Danso, though, is an excellent recovery defender who excels when tasked with defending his box. Everton asked many questions of Spurs' defence on Sunday, forcing Guglielmo Vicario into two remarkable saves in the second half.
The full-backs had a few issues against the Toffees' dynamic operators out wide, but the centre-backs were brilliant. By the end of the game, Danso, according to Squawka, recorded a Premier League season-high 18 clearances in Sunday's win—the most in a single game by a Spurs defender since Jan Vertonghen's 21 against Burnley in 2016.
The former Lens defender also won all six of his duels and failed to commit a foul on Merseyside. It was an exemplary performance, and one that should reassert some faith within the fanbase that we won't collapse in Romero's absence.
Third centre-backs don't come much better than Danso, who's understanding of his role within the squad means he can function as the heart and soul of Frank's dressing room.