Tottenham Ease Pressure on Thomas Frank as Simons Seals Comfortable Victory Against Slavia Prague
The South Korean star's poignant homecoming to Tottenham Hotspur he served for a ten-year period was overshadowed by a match that was devoid of competitive edge. Extracting significant conclusions from this new European format prior to the latter rounds arrive proves a challenging endeavor.
This fixture was predominantly a one-sided affair in terms of a genuine contest, rendering it a mistake to assume Tottenham have morphed into a unstoppable machine on their own ground. They encountered a limited challenge from Slavia Prague and did not have to exert themselves fully to claim the three points.
An Evening of Modest Resistance
Slavia Prague, arriving winless from their first six league phase fixtures, presented minimal threat. The Czech Republic champions gave away a bizarre own goal in the first half before yielding two soft penalties after the half-time break.
"We were very happy we continued the momentum from the Brentford game," Frank remarked. "This side is coming together more and more."
In spite of the lopsided nature, Frank is entitled to focus on indicators of improvement after a troubled start to his time in North London. He will be unconcerned by the approximately 15,000 empty seats at the club's home ground.
Son's Emotional Return
The thin crowd in the upper tiers maybe reflected a absence of excitement about the visiting team's caliber, despite a huge roar greeted Son Heung-min during his official farewell appearance before kick-off.
It was Son who scored the historic goal at this arena after the club's move in 2019. Although his influence diminished last season, he will always be remembered as a club legend. His presence certainly lifted the atmosphere, even if the current group of players also played their part.
Game Overview
The first goal arrived in the first half when Cristian Romero glanced a Pedro Porro corner, resulting in Slavia's David Zima sending a strange own goal past his own goalkeeper.
Mohammed Kudus made it 2-0 from the penalty spot early into the second period, after a Slavia defender was adjudged to have brought down Porro.
With the outcome safe, Spurs were able to manage the game. Xavi Simons then capped off the scoring by winning and scoring a second spot-kick in the latter stages.
Key Takeaways
- Positive Form: The victory followed the weekend's success against Brentford, relieving the short-term scrutiny on head coach Thomas Frank.
- Simons' Form: Scoring again will boost the young midfielder self-belief considerably.
- Squad Blow: Micky van de Ven's needless booking makes him ineligible for the crucial upcoming Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund.
Overall, it was a efficient display from Spurs against inferior opposition. The atmosphere around the club has shifted, and the pressure on the manager has temporarily subsided.
