Thomas Frank off to perfect league start as Richarlison helps Spurs beat Burnley

It is hard to imagine how this could have gone any better for Thomas Frank. In front of an exuberant home crowd still basking in ending their long wait for a trophy, a breathtaking bicycle kick from a rejuvenated Richarlison sealed a convincing victory in the Dane’s first Premier League match in charge of Tottenham.

The new £55m signing Mohammed Kudus was also outstanding as he set up both of the Brazilian’s goals before Brennan Johnson rounded things off against a Burnley side that proved a tough nut to crack. After conceding the opener to Richarlison – who was a bit-part player under Ange Postecoglou last season and had been linked with a move away this summer – in the 10th minute, Scott Parker’s side had their chances against a Spurs defence that creaked at times. They ultimately paid the price of their profligacy but will be encouraged by this display.

With negotiations with Crystal Palace edging closer over a move for Eberechi Eze, these are exciting times for Tottenham supporters. Frank showed he is not afraid to gamble by starting the teenagers Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall in central midfield and was rewarded with the kind of committed performance that so often eluded his predecessor, at least in this competition.

“That’s our dream start. We all know we need to follow up on it, but today I will just enjoy it,” said Frank who, as became customary after every home victory during his seven years at Brentford, applauded the whole ground on a lap of honour after hugging every member of his staff.

Asked whether he was still hoping to add players to his squad before the end of the transfer window, he added: “We are definitely in the market.”

After coming so close to winning a trophy in his first match in charge against Paris Saint-Germain in the Super Cup, the new head coach was given a rapturous reception when he emerged from the tunnel before kick-off. Burnley might have set a defensive record in the Championship last season after conceding only 16 goals but they let in 78 in their last Premier League campaign.

Even after adding plenty of top-flight experience in Kyle Walker and Martin Dubravka, Burnley looked like they knew they were in for a long afternoon from the start, especially in only the fourth minute when Dubravka fell foul of tighter regulations on goalkeepers holding on to the ball for longer than the permitted eight seconds and Tottenham were duly awarded a corner.

View image in fullscreen Thomas Frank, after his first league match as Spurs’ head coach, acknowledges the home fans. Photograph: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

Parker was the last player to leave West Ham for Spurs in 2011 and he watched Kudus make an instant impression when he found space down the right flank in the 10th minute and whipped in a brilliant cross for Richarlison to finish first time. Their travelling supporters probably feared the worst at that point but Burnley slowly found their feet as Lyle Foster and Josh Laurent saw efforts go wide.

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Guglielmo Vicario was less than convincing when he had to tip Laurent’s deflected shot over, while Frank let out a scream of anger when Walker was given too much space to whip in a cross that just eluded Jaidon Anthony on the verge of half-time. Adopting a more casual look than Parker’s suit, jacket and tie, the Spurs manager was more encouraged by his side’s start to the second half. Richarlison should have doubled his tally after his initial effort struck Maxime Estève on the shoulder but Dubravka’s outstretched boot did just enough to divert the ball wide.

Burnley had two chances to make them pay when the lively Foster set up Hannibal Mejbri, only for Pape Sarr to make a last-ditch tackle before Anthony directed his header straight at Vicario. It was to prove crucial. “That’s the ruthlessness of the Premier League,” said Parker. “We’ve got a huge challenge ahead of us but it’s one we are going to embrace.”

With Tottenham’s next attack, Kudus again left his marker for dead with a clever piece of skill and Richarlison swivelled in mid-air before hammering in his cross. The Brazilian also played his part in the third goal when he eluded Estève’s challenge in the centre circle and Sarr was able to surge forward to play in Johnson, with last season’s top scorer making no mistake. Richarlison left the field to a standing ovation as a new era dawned in this part of north London.

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