:focal(1367x247:1369x245)/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/09/16/image-3ff8c490-279b-4a2f-976e-ca4916e34f39-85-2560-1440.jpeg "Spurs unrecognisable as Frank shows his 'tactical nous' - TNT Sports")
Published 17/09/2025 at 00:30 GMT+1
Tottenham needed a goalkeeping error to get their UEFA Champions League campaign off to winning ways, but that did not stop them impressing TNT Sports pundit Martin Keown. Thomas Frank's side edged to a slender 1-0 win over Villarreal on home soil on Tuesday night. And Keown praised the new Spurs boss for "improving" his players in his short spell at the helm.
Highlights: Early own goal gives Spurs win in Frank's Champions League debut
Video credit: TNT Sports
Martin Keown thinks Thomas Frank has already transformed Tottenham Hotspur.
The new manager guided his side to a 1-0 victory over Villarreal on their return to the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night.
It means the Dane has won four of his first six matches since making the switch from Brentford in the summer.
Champions League
Exclusive: Kane ready to climb 'mountain' in Champions League, sends ominous Olise warning
an hour ago
They failed to hit the same levels as on Saturday, when London rivals West Ham were on the end of a 3-0 drubbing.
But Keown was still impressed with what he saw, as he told TNT Sports: "I'm looking at players and I don't recognise them. Richarlison now, he looks a wonderful talent. Players [are] improving all the time.
"We always knew Thomas Frank, with a good budget, good situation, would turn out to be... we know he's a good person, a good manager.
'Disastrous error' hands Spurs early lead - 'Looked so simple'
Video credit: TNT Sports
"The players now are really responding. He's showing that tactical nous, coaching ability, and Spurs are getting a lot better."
Despite their improvements in recent weeks, Spurs still needed a helping hand to get past their Spanish opponents.
The only goal of the game came in the fourth minute, when Villarreal's Luiz Junior was left red-faced by a horrendous error.
Attempting to claim a low cross from the right, the goalkeeper somehow spilled the ball, allowing it to slip through his body and into the back of the net.
"To be honest, you can't really have any sympathy for him," Keown continued. "The goalkeepers go out, what, two hours before kick off?
"You don't need that kind of warm up, surely, and then to do this in the opening minutes... it's a gimme.
"It's a great result for Spurs, first time out in the Champions League, but honestly, the goalkeeper, he's had a nightmare.
Highlights: Super subs Martinelli & Trossard make instant impact as Arsenal overcome Athletic Club
Video credit: TNT Sports
"If his family are watching, look away now, because it's a shocker. I'm not even sure how he made it possible from that angle."
"You couldn't even do that if you tried," added TNT Sports expert Steve McManaman. "Dive forward and make the ball go backwards?
"They got off to a wonderful start, Tottenham. They got the right result. But they certainly had a bit of luck to get them forward, just to ease themselves into this competition, that's the most important thing."
Frank learning to 'appreciate' victories
The win is Tottenham's first in the Champions League since the 2022/23 season.
They made their way back into the competition for the current campaign by winning the UEFA Europa League in May.
Whilst they were making their return to Europe's top table after a three-year absence, it was a debut in the tournament for Frank.
Having been in charge of Brentford since 2018, his only previous experiences of continental football were this season's UEFA Super Cup, and 10 Europa League qualifiers as Brondby boss a decade ago.
Getting a maiden victory in the Champions League is therefore something to cherish.
"It is [a very special moment], and of course I'm very happy with that," Frank told Amazon Prime. "I definitely learned you need to be happy with your wins and appreciate them.
"I think also that there were still many good things. I think we defended exceptionally well. We gave very, very little away throughout the game against, in my opinion, a very good Villarreal side.
"I think offensively we didn't hit the highest level. There was definitely a spell second half where we decided 'ah, let's give it to the Villarreal guys and then let's just sprint back'. I think that's a very good fun thing.
"But on the flip side, I think Villarreal are a good team and they defended very well as well. It was a very, very even game that we just edged.
"I learned that they are working very hard and that we have a very good foundation to stand on in terms of our defensive organisation.
"I think it's good and we gave very little away. This is the Champions League against a very good team.
"Also, I knew it, I think it was a step forward against West Ham. Offensively, that is definitely the area where we need to get better.
"So, Djed Spence and [Xavi] Simons, it's their second game together. Too many times they played too short, or too in to feet, instead of finding a better relationship. There's something in that, definitely."
Watch and stream the Premier League, Men’s and Women’s FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and more on TNT Sports and discovery+
Champions League
Handball rule branded a 'disaster' as Real profit from controversy
an hour ago
Champions League
Eight-goal half, two VAR waits and a night for the ages – How Juve and Dortmund’s epic unfolded
Related Topics
Related Matches