🔗 Share this article

Thomas Frank enjoyed a successful UCL debut thanks to a disastrous error by the opposition keeper the goalie.

Under no pressure, the keeper fumbled a Spurs player's cross into the goal, presenting Tottenham a ideal beginning.

This represented ex-Brentford manager Frank's maiden fixture in the event, but his Tottenham side were tested at times before the interval.

Only a action by Micky van de Ven stopped ex-Arsenal attacker Nicolas Pepe from scoring, while the Villarreal player fired a shot wide.

Yet a fine intervention by Junior kept out Tottenham from scoring a second when he blocked Sarr's strike.

The Spanish team pushed forward in the second half, but the home side stood firm to keep out them.

The Brazilian might have been more clinical with a headed chance as the team sought a security goal, but in the end it was not needed.

Review: The Team Unconvincing but Defending Impresses

This represented the outcome Tottenham wanted on their comeback to the European stage, but it was hardly a perfect showing.

The goalie's costly blunder provided the fans excited and could have been the base for a strong showing, but that was not the case.

Tottenham's start to the season has been strong, with eye-catching victories against one opponent and Manchester City, but there was also a worrying performance in a loss to Bournemouth.

The team displayed more comparisons to that fixture with a few poor periods of play and loose passes whenever they advanced.

Despite that, their defending was resolute with one player and Bentancur making key tackles, especially in the second half.

The win means the club are now undefeated in their last 21 fixtures in their stadium in Uefa competitions.

Star Performer

Number: 37 Van de Ven

Score: 7.49

---

Related Topics

• Continental Football
• Tottenham Hotspur
• Soccer