🔗 Share this article Tottenham Ease Pressure on Thomas Frank as Simons Rounds Off Comfortable Win Against Slavia Prague Son Heung-min's poignant homecoming to the club he served for a decade was somewhat dimmed by a contest that was devoid of genuine tension. Extracting meaningful conclusions from this revamped Champions League format prior to the knockout stages arrive proves a difficult endeavor. This fixture was largely a one-sided affair in terms of competitiveness, rendering it a mistake to assume Tottenham have morphed into a unstoppable force on their own ground. They encountered a moderate challenge from Slavia Prague and did not have to extend themselves fully to secure the three points. An Evening of Limited Opposition Slavia Prague, coming into the match without a victory from their first six league phase games, presented minimal danger. The Czech champions conceded a bizarre own goal in the first half before surrendering two debatable penalties after the half-time break. "I was very happy we continued the momentum from the Brentford game," Frank remarked. "The team is gelling increasingly." Despite the uneven nature, Frank is right to focus on indicators of improvement after a difficult start to his time in charge. He will not mind by the approximately 15,000 empty seats at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Son's Emotional Homecoming The sparse crowd in the upper tiers perhaps reflected a absence of excitement about the visiting team's quality, despite a huge roar greeted Son Heung-min during his formal farewell ceremony before kick-off. The goal came from Son who scored the first goal at this arena after the club's relocation in 2019. While his impact waned last season, he will always be remembered as a club legend. His return undoubtedly enhanced the mood, even if the current crop of players also played their part. Match Summary The opening goal arrived in the first half when the Argentine defender glanced a Pedro Porro set-piece, leading to Slavia's David Zima sending a unfortunate header past his own goalkeeper. The Ghanaian midfielder extended the lead to 2-0 from the spot-kick just five minutes into the second period, after a Slavia defender was adjudged to have fouled Porro. With the outcome secure, Spurs were able to ease off. The Dutch playmaker then completed the scoring by earning and scoring a second spot-kick later on. Important Points Positive Form: The victory followed the weekend's success against Brentford, relieving the short-term pressure on head coach Thomas Frank. Xavi Simons' Form: Finding the net again will enhance the talented attacker's confidence considerably. Squad Setback: Micky van de Ven's needless booking makes him ineligible for the crucial upcoming European match against Borussia Dortmund. Overall, it was a professional display from Spurs against limited competition. The atmosphere around the club has improved, and the pressure on the manager has for now eased.
Son Heung-min's poignant homecoming to the club he served for a decade was somewhat dimmed by a contest that was devoid of genuine tension. Extracting meaningful conclusions from this revamped Champions League format prior to the knockout stages arrive proves a difficult endeavor. This fixture was largely a one-sided affair in terms of competitiveness, rendering it a mistake to assume Tottenham have morphed into a unstoppable force on their own ground. They encountered a moderate challenge from Slavia Prague and did not have to extend themselves fully to secure the three points. An Evening of Limited Opposition Slavia Prague, coming into the match without a victory from their first six league phase games, presented minimal danger. The Czech champions conceded a bizarre own goal in the first half before surrendering two debatable penalties after the half-time break. "I was very happy we continued the momentum from the Brentford game," Frank remarked. "The team is gelling increasingly." Despite the uneven nature, Frank is right to focus on indicators of improvement after a difficult start to his time in charge. He will not mind by the approximately 15,000 empty seats at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Son's Emotional Homecoming The sparse crowd in the upper tiers perhaps reflected a absence of excitement about the visiting team's quality, despite a huge roar greeted Son Heung-min during his formal farewell ceremony before kick-off. The goal came from Son who scored the first goal at this arena after the club's relocation in 2019. While his impact waned last season, he will always be remembered as a club legend. His return undoubtedly enhanced the mood, even if the current crop of players also played their part. Match Summary The opening goal arrived in the first half when the Argentine defender glanced a Pedro Porro set-piece, leading to Slavia's David Zima sending a unfortunate header past his own goalkeeper. The Ghanaian midfielder extended the lead to 2-0 from the spot-kick just five minutes into the second period, after a Slavia defender was adjudged to have fouled Porro. With the outcome secure, Spurs were able to ease off. The Dutch playmaker then completed the scoring by earning and scoring a second spot-kick later on. Important Points Positive Form: The victory followed the weekend's success against Brentford, relieving the short-term pressure on head coach Thomas Frank. Xavi Simons' Form: Finding the net again will enhance the talented attacker's confidence considerably. Squad Setback: Micky van de Ven's needless booking makes him ineligible for the crucial upcoming European match against Borussia Dortmund. Overall, it was a professional display from Spurs against limited competition. The atmosphere around the club has improved, and the pressure on the manager has for now eased.