Tottenham battled back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Brighton but Thomas Frank was left fuming on the touchline as he raged at a controversial referee decision
Thomas Frank lost his cool on the touchline during Tottenham's 2-2 comeback draw against Brighton.
Frank is known for his animated presence, but on Saturday he seemed on the verge of losing his cool, reminiscent of former Spurs boss Antonio Conte at his most fiery.
Spurs travelled to the south coast and found themselves a goal down after just eight minutes when Yankuba Minteh struck. Yasin Ayari then added a second on the half-hour mark, beating Guglielmo Vicario from distance with an effort that the Italian should have dealt with.
But as Tottenham fought their way back into the game, with Richarlison halving the deficit minutes before half-time. Frank lost his cool minutes before introducing £52million summer signing Xavi Simons in search of an equaliser.
Richarlison had seemingly made a regulation challenge on Brighton left-back Ferdi Kadioglu, only for referee Chris Kavanagh to blow his whistle.
Frank erupted in fury on the touchline towards the referee, gesticulating wildly and shouting. Kavanagh merely looked on as fourth official Tom Nield spoke to him to gauge his reaction.
Luckily for Frank, his touchline demeanour falls somewhere between Conte and Postecoglou, so he had already cooled down by this point and avoided any sanctions from the officials.
Speaking after the draw, Frank told Football London: "I thought the players looked strong and were intense throughout the game.
"Even though we had a midweek game, which I'm very happy with the physical preparation during pre-season and everything the team have done, with big help from the performance staff at Tottenham.
"So the mentality, the physical aspect, I thought was key, and coming here, where last year we came here and were 2-0 up, lost 3-2. Now we’re 2-0 down and come back 2-2. I think it's good.
"If there should have been a winner in my eyes, and maybe I'm slightly biased, I think it should have been us. I think the amount of crosses, the amount of touches in the opponent's box, the amount of near chances, was more than enough to win the game."