Thomas Frank Begins Tottenham Hotspur Tenure With Dominant 3-0 Win Over Burnley

Tottenham Hotspur Begin Premier League Season With Dominant 3–0 Victory Over Burnley Under New Manager Thomas Frank.

Tottenham Hotspur began their 2025/2026 Premier League campaign in emphatic fashion on Saturday, delivering a commanding 3–0 win over newly-promoted Burnley in North London. The match marked a successful start to Thomas Frank’s tenure as head coach, following his recent appointment after a stint with Brentford.

Frank, who took charge of the Spurs squad earlier in the week, had narrowly missed out on winning the Super Cup during his managerial debut on Wednesday. Despite a promising start against Paris Saint-Germain, Spurs conceded a late equalizer and ultimately lost in a penalty shootout. However, the Premier League opener offered a perfect chance for redemption—and the team didn’t disappoint.

Richarlison’s Brace and Johnson’s Return Seal the Win

Leading the charge for Tottenham was Richarlison, who delivered a sensational performance, netting a brace that energized the home crowd. His first goal came after an assist from Mohammed Kudus, who was also instrumental in the build-up to Richarlison’s second—a spectacular volley in the 60th minute that left Burnley goalkeeper Martin Dúbravka helpless.

Just minutes later, Brennan Johnson, returning to the lineup after a spell on the sidelines, sealed the victory with a well-timed goal in the 66th minute. The win marked Spurs’ first league victory since April 6, ending a frustrating run of results and boosting team morale at the start of the season.

Injuries and Tactical Adjustments

Despite dealing with the absence of creative midfielders James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski due to injury, Frank managed to organize a compact and dynamic Spurs team. His tactical approach paid off, with Kudus providing a creative spark from the wing, and debutant Lucas Bergvall coming close to scoring just 25 seconds into the game.

Bergvall’s early effort was denied by Martin Dúbravka, who was making his debut in goal for Burnley. The goalkeeper was later penalized under the newly implemented eight-second rule, further disrupting Burnley’s rhythm in their return to the Premier League.

Burnley Struggle on Premier League Return

Managed by former Tottenham player Scott Parker, Burnley had hoped for a positive showing upon their return to top-flight football. Although they grew into the game after conceding the opener, they failed to capitalize on their chances. Key opportunities were missed by Lyle Foster, Josh Laurent, and Maxime Estève, while Cristian Romero and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario stood firm in Tottenham’s defense.

Parker’s side came close near the end of the first half when Laurent’s chip forced Vicario into a sharp save, but Burnley lacked the cutting edge needed to mount a comeback.

Off-Pitch Events and Fan Sentiment

Ahead of the match, a small protest was staged by the fan group Change for Tottenham, expressing concerns about the club’s leadership. However, the protest drew minimal attendance and had little impact on the electric atmosphere inside the stadium. The home crowd gave a rousing welcome to Thomas Frank, signaling their support as he begins a new era at the club.

In a heartwarming moment, Mathys Tel, who had been subjected to racist abuse earlier in the week following a missed penalty in the Super Cup, received a round of applause from Tottenham supporters as he began his warm-up.