Spurs’ 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund relieves pressure on Thomas Frank and spotlights Dominic Solanke’s positive influence. Betting angle: punters might back Tottenham to score in their next match and consider Over 1.5 goals or Solanke as an anytime scorer; Spurs also look a stronger bet to progress from the Champions League group after this display.
Tottenham 2-0 Borussia Dortmund — Frank survives as Spurs rediscover spark
Tottenham produced a much-improved display to beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, handing Thomas Frank a crucial night of respite after a fractious defeat last weekend. The victory gives Spurs an excellent chance of finishing in the top eight of their Champions League group and avoiding the playoff route, while shifting the mood in the stadium from boos to cheers.
Early breakthrough and game-changing red card
Spurs took an ideal lead from a corner when the ball broke to Wilson Odobert, whose low cross was met by Cristian Romero’s first-time finish. Dortmund’s task became considerably harder after 26 minutes when Daniel Svensson was sent off following a VAR review for a studs-up challenge on Odobert. The dismissal killed Dortmund’s momentum and allowed Tottenham to control the remainder of the match.
Solanke’s quirky but crucial goal
Dominic Solanke, handed a rare start, repaid the manager’s faith in comedic fashion with his first goal of the season. Odobert’s low driven cross found Solanke, who inadvertently back-heeled the ball off his own foot and into the net. Beyond the finish, Solanke’s presence led the press and helped Spurs push higher up the pitch, adding structure and threat to the frontline before he was replaced in the 71st minute.
Djed Spence’s unexpected attacking role
Injury-enforced tweaks saw Djed Spence deployed higher up the left flank — an emergency solution that paid off. Playing as an inverted right-footer on the left, Spence combined with Destiny Udogie’s overlapping runs to create space and unpredictability. His dribbling and directness caused problems for Dortmund and offered a useful alternative profile for Spurs’ attack.
Red card controversy: Was Svensson harshly judged?
The red card for Daniel Svensson will divide opinion. While the tackle did not appear malicious, VAR’s slow-motion scrutiny highlighted the studs-up nature of the challenge, leaving the referee little choice under current protocols. The decision altered the complexion of the game and underscores how high-risk tackles are now consistently punished.
What this means for Thomas Frank
This result represents a temporary reprieve for Frank. After fan unrest following the previous defeat, the hierarchy’s decision to retain him looked vindicated on the night. Spurs still face serious form and league-position concerns, and upcoming Premier League fixtures — notably the trip to Burnley — will be far more decisive for Frank’s future than this Champions League win.
Long-term implications and squad questions
The match revealed squad utility and tactical options: Solanke’s leadership and work-rate, Spence’s attacking potential from a wide role, and the squad’s ability to manage a game once in control. However, consistency remains the key issue; Spurs must turn improved performances into sustained results.
Fixture focus: next match
Tottenham travel to Burnley in the Premier League next, a fixture that will carry more immediate weight for the club’s domestic future. The confidence from this European win could influence selection and betting markets, but Spurs’ form in the league remains the big concern going forward.
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A much-improved performance from Spurs help lift some of the pressure that had built up on head coach Thomas Frank and his team
Theathleticuk
