Tottenham had been gifted the proper begin to their Champions League marketing campaign as a farcical personal aim 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 web 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 type beneath 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 last 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 compelled 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.
“After all I am very pleased with that. I positively discovered you need to be pleased together with your wins and admire them,” Frank stated.
“I believe there was many good issues. We defended very well and gave little away all through the sport towards a very 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 stated 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 trainer’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 direction of Richarlison was spilled into his personal web by Luiz Junior.
It was a horrific mistake from the Villarreal keeper, who was beneath no strain as he allowed the ball to squirm beneath 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 large.
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 workforce 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 publish.
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 large within the second half.
Tottenham had been all of a sudden misplacing passes at an alarming charge and Pepe was inches large with a low shot as Frank paced anxiously on the touchline.
Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven may rely himself fortunate to not be despatched off after a VAR evaluate for his last-ditch sort out.
Pepe curled large for the guests however Tottenham held on in a tense finale.
