🔗 Share this article Spurs Relieve Strain on Frank as Xavi Simons Seals Comfortable Win Over Slavia Prague The South Korean star's emotional return to the club he represented for a ten-year period was somewhat dimmed by a contest that lacked genuine tension. Finding significant conclusions from this revamped Champions League structure before the latter rounds arrive remains a challenging task. This fixture was predominantly a non-event in terms of a genuine contest, rendering it a mistake to presume Tottenham have transformed into a formidable force on their home turf. They faced a limited challenge from Slavia Prague and were not forced to extend themselves fully to claim the result. An Evening of Limited Resistance Slavia Prague, arriving without a victory from their initial six group stage games, offered little threat. The Czech Republic title holders conceded a bizarre own-goal in the first half before yielding two debatable penalties after the interval. "I was very happy we continued the positive feeling from the weekend victory," Frank remarked. "The team is gelling increasingly." Despite the lopsided scoreline, Frank is entitled to cling to signs of progress after a troubled start to his tenure in charge. He will be unconcerned by the close to 15,000 empty seats at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Son's Emotional Return The thin attendance in the higher stands maybe highlighted a lack of anticipation about the visiting team's caliber, despite a huge ovation welcomed Son Heung-min during his formal send-off appearance before the start. It was Son who scored the historic goal at this arena after the club's relocation in 2019. While his impact waned last campaign, he will forever be revered as a Tottenham icon. His return undoubtedly lifted the atmosphere, even if the current group of players also played their part. Match Summary The opening goal arrived in the first half when the Argentine defender flicked on a Spanish full-back corner, leading to Slavia's David Zima sending a strange own goal past his own keeper. Mohammed Kudus made it 2-0 from the spot-kick just five minutes into the second half, after a Slavia defender was ruled to have brought down Porro. With the result secure, Spurs were able to manage the game. The Dutch playmaker then completed the scoring by winning and converting a second penalty in the latter stages. Key Takeaways Momentum: The victory built on the recent success against Brentford, easing the immediate pressure on manager Thomas Frank. Xavi Simons' Form: Scoring once more will boost the talented midfielder confidence considerably. Squad Setback: Micky van de Ven's unnecessary yellow card rules him out for the pivotal upcoming European fixture against Borussia Dortmund. Overall, it was a professional performance from Spurs against inferior opposition. The atmosphere around the club has improved, and the pressure on the coach has for now eased.
The South Korean star's emotional return to the club he represented for a ten-year period was somewhat dimmed by a contest that lacked genuine tension. Finding significant conclusions from this revamped Champions League structure before the latter rounds arrive remains a challenging task. This fixture was predominantly a non-event in terms of a genuine contest, rendering it a mistake to presume Tottenham have transformed into a formidable force on their home turf. They faced a limited challenge from Slavia Prague and were not forced to extend themselves fully to claim the result. An Evening of Limited Resistance Slavia Prague, arriving without a victory from their initial six group stage games, offered little threat. The Czech Republic title holders conceded a bizarre own-goal in the first half before yielding two debatable penalties after the interval. "I was very happy we continued the positive feeling from the weekend victory," Frank remarked. "The team is gelling increasingly." Despite the lopsided scoreline, Frank is entitled to cling to signs of progress after a troubled start to his tenure in charge. He will be unconcerned by the close to 15,000 empty seats at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Son's Emotional Return The thin attendance in the higher stands maybe highlighted a lack of anticipation about the visiting team's caliber, despite a huge ovation welcomed Son Heung-min during his formal send-off appearance before the start. It was Son who scored the historic goal at this arena after the club's relocation in 2019. While his impact waned last campaign, he will forever be revered as a Tottenham icon. His return undoubtedly lifted the atmosphere, even if the current group of players also played their part. Match Summary The opening goal arrived in the first half when the Argentine defender flicked on a Spanish full-back corner, leading to Slavia's David Zima sending a strange own goal past his own keeper. Mohammed Kudus made it 2-0 from the spot-kick just five minutes into the second half, after a Slavia defender was ruled to have brought down Porro. With the result secure, Spurs were able to manage the game. The Dutch playmaker then completed the scoring by winning and converting a second penalty in the latter stages. Key Takeaways Momentum: The victory built on the recent success against Brentford, easing the immediate pressure on manager Thomas Frank. Xavi Simons' Form: Scoring once more will boost the talented midfielder confidence considerably. Squad Setback: Micky van de Ven's unnecessary yellow card rules him out for the pivotal upcoming European fixture against Borussia Dortmund. Overall, it was a professional performance from Spurs against inferior opposition. The atmosphere around the club has improved, and the pressure on the coach has for now eased.