🔗 Share this article Spurs Ease Pressure on Frank as Xavi Simons Seals Straightforward Win Against Slavia Prague The South Korean star's poignant homecoming to Tottenham Hotspur he represented for a decade was overshadowed by a contest that was devoid of genuine tension. Finding significant insights from this revamped Champions League format prior to the latter rounds commence proves a difficult endeavor. This encounter was predominantly a one-sided affair in terms of a genuine contest, making it a mistake to assume Tottenham have transformed into a unstoppable force on their own ground. They encountered a limited test from Slavia Prague and did not have to exert themselves completely to secure the three points. A Night of Modest Opposition Slavia Prague, coming into the match winless from their first six league phase games, presented little danger. The Czech Republic champions conceded a peculiar own-goal in the first half before surrendering two debatable spot-kicks after the half-time break. "We were very happy we continued the momentum from the Brentford game," Frank remarked. "The team is gelling more and more." In spite of the lopsided scoreline, Frank is right to cling to signs of improvement after a difficult beginning to his tenure in North London. He will not mind by the approximately 15,000 empty seats at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Son's Touching Homecoming The sparse attendance in the higher stands maybe highlighted a lack of excitement about the opposition's quality, even if a huge ovation welcomed Son Heung-min during his official send-off ceremony before the start. The goal came from Son who scored the historic goal at this arena after the club's move in 2019. While his influence waned last campaign, he will always be revered as a Tottenham icon. His return undoubtedly lifted the mood, even if the current group of players also contributed. Game Overview The first goal arrived in the 26th minute when Cristian Romero flicked on a Spanish full-back set-piece, leading to Slavia's David Zima sending a unfortunate own goal past his own goalkeeper. The Ghanaian midfielder made it 2-0 from the penalty spot just five minutes into the second half, after a Slavia defender was ruled to have brought down Porro. With the result safe, Spurs were able to ease off. The Dutch playmaker then capped off the scoring by earning and scoring a another spot-kick later on. Key Takeaways Positive Form: The win built on the recent success against Brentford, easing the immediate scrutiny on manager Thomas Frank. Xavi Simons' Confidence: Finding the net once more will boost the talented attacker's confidence considerably. Squad Setback: Micky van de Ven's unnecessary yellow card makes him ineligible for the crucial upcoming European fixture against Borussia Dortmund. In summary, it was a professional display from Spurs against limited competition. The mood around the club has shifted, and the heat on the manager has temporarily subsided.
The South Korean star's poignant homecoming to Tottenham Hotspur he represented for a decade was overshadowed by a contest that was devoid of genuine tension. Finding significant insights from this revamped Champions League format prior to the latter rounds commence proves a difficult endeavor. This encounter was predominantly a one-sided affair in terms of a genuine contest, making it a mistake to assume Tottenham have transformed into a unstoppable force on their own ground. They encountered a limited test from Slavia Prague and did not have to exert themselves completely to secure the three points. A Night of Modest Opposition Slavia Prague, coming into the match winless from their first six league phase games, presented little danger. The Czech Republic champions conceded a peculiar own-goal in the first half before surrendering two debatable spot-kicks after the half-time break. "We were very happy we continued the momentum from the Brentford game," Frank remarked. "The team is gelling more and more." In spite of the lopsided scoreline, Frank is right to cling to signs of improvement after a difficult beginning to his tenure in North London. He will not mind by the approximately 15,000 empty seats at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Son's Touching Homecoming The sparse attendance in the higher stands maybe highlighted a lack of excitement about the opposition's quality, even if a huge ovation welcomed Son Heung-min during his official send-off ceremony before the start. The goal came from Son who scored the historic goal at this arena after the club's move in 2019. While his influence waned last campaign, he will always be revered as a Tottenham icon. His return undoubtedly lifted the mood, even if the current group of players also contributed. Game Overview The first goal arrived in the 26th minute when Cristian Romero flicked on a Spanish full-back set-piece, leading to Slavia's David Zima sending a unfortunate own goal past his own goalkeeper. The Ghanaian midfielder made it 2-0 from the penalty spot just five minutes into the second half, after a Slavia defender was ruled to have brought down Porro. With the result safe, Spurs were able to ease off. The Dutch playmaker then capped off the scoring by earning and scoring a another spot-kick later on. Key Takeaways Positive Form: The win built on the recent success against Brentford, easing the immediate scrutiny on manager Thomas Frank. Xavi Simons' Confidence: Finding the net once more will boost the talented attacker's confidence considerably. Squad Setback: Micky van de Ven's unnecessary yellow card makes him ineligible for the crucial upcoming European fixture against Borussia Dortmund. In summary, it was a professional display from Spurs against limited competition. The mood around the club has shifted, and the heat on the manager has temporarily subsided.