/https://sportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net/uploads/2025/08/imago1065181574-1-1-68a09afa4c1ec532469696.jpg "Rejuvenated Richarlison scores goal-of-the-season contender - Sports Mole")
Tottenham Hotspur marksman Richarlison produced an early goal-of-the-season contender as the Lilywhites strolled to a 3-0 win over newly-promoted Burnley in their 2025-26 Premier League opener.
Just 10 minutes into his Spurs Premier League career, £55m signing Mohammed Kudus made a telling impact, delivering a sumptuous cross for Richarlison to fire home an equally exquisite half-volley into the bottom corner.
Thomas Frank's troops dominated the ball as expected, but the Clarets' response to falling behind was an incredibly positive one, and the visitors looked more likely to equalise than Spurs did to double their lead before the break.
However, Scott Parker's man failed to make the most of that promising period and were punished severely in the second half, where the red-hot Richarlison completed his brace in stunning fashion before Brennan Johnson put the result beyond any doubt.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
Ah, a Premier League win - miss that feeling Tottenham fans?
Not since early April had the Lilywhites come up trumps in a top-flight fixture, and Saturday's scrap had the potential to be a banana skin in the wake of their UEFA Super Cup heartache, which Frank responded to with a handful of changes.
The Dane's side looked particularly vulnerable after breaking the deadlock, but their visitors rued the absence of a lethal finisher and were soon run ragged by the dynamic duo of Kudus and Richarlison once again.
A prolific partnership could potentially be brewing between those two, and the fit-again Solanke may very well have a fight on his hands to get back into the first XI if the rejuvenated Richarlison continues in the same vein.
Unsurprisingly, Burnley's record-breaking defensive might in the Championship counted for nought in the Premier League, although there were some flashes of promise from the side tipped by many to finish bottom of the pile.
TOTTENHAM VS. BURNLEY HIGHLIGHTS
Frank's decision to select Richarlison over Dominic Solanke pays dividends inside the opening 10 minutes!
Burnley defender Maxime Esteve comfortably collects a hopeful punt forward from Spurs, but his poor attempt at a clearance gifts the ball straight back to the hosts on the right wing.
Mohammed Kudus retains possession under pressure from Josh Cullen and whips in an inviting ball, which Richarlison meets with a smart half-volley into the far bottom corner.
Is this the start of the Richarlison revival arc? The Brazilian outdoes his first effort with an early goal-of-the-season contender, one that leaves a few of his teammates clasping their heads with their hands.
Kudus is the instigator once again, losing his man on the right wing and delivering a crisp cross for Richarlison, who has acres of space to execute a wonderful bicycle kick past Martin Dubravka.
That will do it.
Richarlison plays his part once again, showing brilliant strength to hold the ball up in the centre of the field, allowing Pape Sarr to collect possession and thread a pass through to Johnson.
The Welshman beats the final defender for pace and pokes home low into the far side of the net to surely kill the game off.
MAN OF THE MATCH - RICHARLISON
Spurs fans can maybe tell me otherwise, but I am hard-pressed to think of a better performance in a Spurs shirt from Richarlison, who more than deserved the standing ovation he got as he was substituted in the second half.
If the Brazilian's first finish was slick, his second of the afternoon was a thing of beauty, and he used his body magnificently to help fashion Johnson's goal soon after.
The only downside for the striker was that he was taken off before having the chance to complete his hat-trick, but boy did he and Tottenham need this attacking masterclass.
TOTTENHAM VS. BURNLEY MATCH STATS
Possession: Tottenham 68%-32% Burnley
Shots: Tottenham 16-14 Burnley
Shots on target:Â Tottenham 6-4 Burnley
Corners: Tottenham 6-5 Burnley
Fouls: Tottenham 14-8 Burnley
BEST STATS
WHAT NEXT?
Spurs' first Premier League away game of 2025-26 is an incredibly daunting one, as the Lilywhites face Manchester City at the Etihad in next Saturday's lunchtime kickoff, although they may have an Eberechi Eze in their ranks by then.
As for Burnley, the Clarets also have a full week to recover before their first top-flight home game on August 23 - a battle of the newly-promoted sides with Sunderland.
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