LONDON:
Tottenham had been gifted the right begin to their Champions League marketing campaign as a farcical personal purpose from Villarreal goalkeeper Luiz Junior sealed a 1-0 win on Tuesday.
Luiz Junior contrived to let Lucas Bergvall’s cross trickle into his personal internet early within the first half in north London.
That was sufficient for Tottenham to take the factors on their return to Europe’s elite membership competitors after a two-year absence.
The victory maintained Tottenham’s spectacular kind underneath new boss Thomas Frank.
He was employed from Brentford to interchange Ange Postecoglou in June, giving the Dane an opportunity to handle within the Champions League for the primary time.
Postecoglou was sacked simply 16 days after main Tottenham to the Europa League remaining victory towards Manchester United that secured their place within the Champions League.
Frank’s appointment was masterminded by Daniel Levy, however the Tottenham chairman has since stepped down in a transfer reportedly pressured on him by the membership’s homeowners.
Tottenham’s summer time of change hasn’t proved damaging up to now, with three wins from Frank’s first 4 Premier League video games and a profitable begin to the Champions League journey.
“In fact I am very pleased with that. I undoubtedly discovered it’s important to be glad together with your wins and respect them,” Frank mentioned.
“I feel there was many good issues. We defended very well and gave little away all through the sport towards a extremely good Villarreal facet.
“Offensively we did not hit the best degree. There was a spell the place we determined let’s give it to the Villarreal guys after which we’ll dash again! It was a really even recreation that we simply edged.”
Villarreal despatched on former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey to loud jeers within the closing phases because the Ghanaian ready for a courtroom date on Wednesday.
Partey has been charged with 5 counts of rape in addition to a cost of sexual assault, allegations which he denies.
Frank had admitted it was a “massive factor” to participate within the Champions League, however mentioned he would solely give himself “two minutes” to soak within the Champions League anthem earlier than concentrating on the duty of beating Villarreal.
The 51-year-old former PE instructor’s solely earlier expertise of managing in European competitors earlier than this season got here in qualifying for the Europa League with Brondby.
However Tottenham ensured he took to the larger stage like a duck to water.
Spurs maintain agency
Xavi Simons set the tone with a fierce volley that flashed simply over from the sting of the world.
And Tottenham took the lead after simply 4 minutes when Bergvall’s cross in the direction of Richarlison was spilled into his personal internet by Luiz Junior.
It was a horrific mistake from the Villarreal keeper, who was underneath no stress as he allowed the ball to squirm underneath his physique.
Former Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe was again on acquainted territory in north London and the Villarreal star went near equalising with a rocket that deflected simply broad.
Tottenham had been in Champions League motion for the primary time since shedding to AC Milan within the final 16 in 2023, with Cristian Romero the one surviving member of that crew nonetheless on the north London membership.
Romero’s panicked clearance nearly introduced Villarreal with an equaliser as Pepe arrange Tajon Buchanan for a low strike that simply cleared the far put up.
Pape Sarr had scored in Saturday’s win at West Ham and the Tottenham midfielder threatened with a robust strike that Luiz Junior saved at full stretch.
Villarreal’s former Tottenham defender Juan Foyth ought to have levelled with a glancing header that fizzed broad within the second half.
Tottenham had been out of the blue misplacing passes at an alarming fee and Pepe was inches broad with a low shot as Frank paced anxiously on the touchline.
Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven might rely himself fortunate to not be despatched off after a VAR overview for his last-ditch sort out.
Pepe curled broad for the guests however Tottenham held on in a tense finale.
