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Chelsea vs C Palace - Live match updates

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First Half: Chelsea 0-0 Crystal Palace - Live on Sky Sports

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Latest updates, team news and match stats

Teams: Pedro up front for Chelsea | Eze starts for Palace

Stats | Sky Bet | Club blogs: Chelsea | Palace

Chelsea 0-0 Crystal Palace

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Chelsea vs Crystal Palace

Sky Sports' David Richardson at Stamford Bridge:

"An impeccably observed minute's silence for Diogo Jota and Andre Silva."

Diogo Jota remembered

A moment of silence is immaculately observed by both set of supporters in memory of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva.

Given what happened last week prior to the Community Shield, that was far more pleasing to witness.

Chelsea vs Crystal Palace

Sky Sports' David Richardson at Stamford Bridge:

"The Liquidator booms out of the PA system as a 'Champions of the world' banner is unveiled in the Shed End.

"The Palace fans do their best to drown it out with chants of 'Eagles'. There's a cracking atmosphere in here!

"And here come the teams!"

Teams are in the tunnel

The atmosphere is picking up at Stamford Bridge and the players are in the tunnel. Premier League football is minutes away!

Team news reminder

Chelsea: Sanchez; James, Acheampong, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Enzo; Neto, Palmer, Gittens; Joao Pedro.

Crystal Palace: Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Munoz, Wharton, Hughes, Mitchell; Sarr, Mateta, Eze.

Boehly and Winstanley watch on at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea owner Todd Boehly and sporting director Paul Winstanley are here today.

They've had a busy summer in the transfer window...

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Glasner: No reason not to start Eze and Guehi

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner speaking to Sky Sports on Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi:

"His [Eze's] mindset is very good otherwise he wouldn't start. Guehi and Eze trained well all week. There's no reason not to start them.

"Good advice to all the children watching: don't believe everything you read in the newspapers."

Eze boost for Palace and big test for Acheampong

Sky Sports' David Richardson at Stamford Bridge:

"It's a major boost for Palace to have Eze starting today. They've won just once in 15 games without him since the start of the 2023/24 season!

"And it's a big afternoon for Josh Acheampong, who starts alongside Trevor Chalobah at centre-back for Chelsea.

"The youngster faces a tough task keeping Mateta, Eze and Sarr at bay. This is his moment to take the starting spot out of the injured Tosin's hands. "

Garnacho and Simons arrivals dependent on Chelsea exits

Latest from Sky Sports' Kaveh Solhekol:

Chelsea will only sign Alejandro Garnacho AND Xavi Simons if at least two first-team forwards leave before the window closes.

Christopher Nkunku, Nicolas Jackson and Tyrique George could all move and incomings are exit dependent.

If all three players leave, Chelsea would be in a strong position to sign both Garnacho and Simons.

If only one of those three players leaves, Chelsea may sign just one more forward - or none at all.

Chelsea value Garnacho at about ÂŁ30m.

Meanwhile, Gianluigi Donnarumma is still not a Chelsea target.

Jones Knows' prediction

Sky Sports' Lewis Jones:

Trimmed from 20/1 to 8/1 in the summer to win the Premier League, there is a chance Enzo Maresca just might be building something extremely exciting at Chelsea.

And why should we be taking them seriously? Moises Caicedo and Cole Palmer - they are Chelsea's assassins and quite possibly the core of what could be a title-winning side.

Since Caicedo has found rhythm in the Chelsea midfield, he has owned so many games, including the Club World Cup final against PSG. If Chelsea are going to suffocate opponents and dominate the ball in big games - which they will need to do to win a title - it all starts with Caicedo.

And Palmer is the stardust. When the spotlight is on, when the stage is at it's highest, Palmer performs. He can go to Eden Hazard's levels of domination at Chelsea this season.

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This axis puts Chelsea in the title mix, no question. It's a four-way fight. And they can start with a home win.

SCORE PREDICTION: 3-1

Premier League predictions and best bets: Jones Knows' weekend double

Sky Sports

Chelsea vs Crystal Palace - Match Officials

Referee: Darren England.

Assistants: Ian Hussin, Akil Howson.

Fourth official: Michael Salisbury.

VAR: James Bell.

Assistant VAR: Adam Nunn.

Palace's main men start

Both Marc Guehi and Eberechi Eze are getting warmed up after being named in Crystal Palace's starting XI despite question marks surrounding their futures.

Even more in-game clips on Sky Sports Digital - and highlights FIRST

Free-to-watch match highlights from EVERY Premier League game will continue to be served up on the Sky Sports website and App - the FIRST place to watch match highlights.

For Saturday 3pm (and 12:30pm) Premier League matches, Sky Sports will be the first place to see all of the match action with highlights published at 5:15pm. All other match highlightsfrom across the rest of the weekend will be available to watch shortly after full-time.

There will be additional in-game clips from all of the 215 games broadcast live on Sky - meaning more goals and moments than before.

Fans will also have access to vertical highlights in the Sky Sports app, giving a mobile-first experience of the action for the first time.

For the best app and vertical video experience, make sure you download the latest version onto your phone or tablet.

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Sturridge: Chelsea can close gap to top

Sky Sports' Daniel Sturridge on Super Sunday:

"I think they can close the gap. The attackers they have are players who can change games for you.

"Playing against low blocks last season, they had struggles. I think with the likes of Joao Pedro who can come in and link things up but also be clinical in front of goal, it gives them different options.

"Gittens is fantastic in one-on-ones, you've got Estevao on the bench, and the list goes on.

"The Club World Cup was fantastic for the team to know they can compete with the best teams, but all-in-all they're coming into this season fancying themselves.

"They're a bit short in defence with Levi Colwill's injury, but I think if they can bring in one more centre-back then the gap is going to be even closer."

Stats put Sarr among elite attackers

Is Ismaila Sarr Crystal Palace's real key player?

The Radar column returns for the new season, including a look at Oliver Glasner's underrated winger - and the stats that put him above even Eberechi Eze among the Premier League's elite attackers.

Martin Zubimendi might bring Arsenal more than expected, Matheus Cunha could help Patrick Dorgu thrive for Man Utd - The Radar

Sky Sports

Maresca wants new defender - so why are Chelsea unlikely to sign one?

Enzo Maresca wants Chelsea to sign a new centre-back after Levi Colwill had surgery on an ACL injury - but the club are reluctant to sign one.

Here's why:

Chelsea transfer news: Enzo Maresca wants new defender after Levi Colwill injury but club unlikely to sign one

Sky Sports

Glasner on Eze and Guehi's future

Crystal Palace have opted to start both Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi against Chelsea, but this is what manager Oliver Glasner had to say when asked about their future's.

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Tottenham 3-0 Burnley: Richarlison volley earns new boss Thomas Frank first Premier League victory in charge of Spurs

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Tottenham 3-0 Burnley: Richarlison volley earns new boss Thomas Frank first Premier League victory in charge of Spurs - Sky Sports
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Richarlison scored an early goal-of-the-season contender as Thomas Frank's Tottenham cruised to a 3-0 victory over Burnley.

The Brazilian inspired Frank's first Premier League victory in charge of Spurs, at the first time of asking, as he acrobatically volleyed in Mohammed Kudus' cross to score his side's second of the game.

Frank can thank the same duo for the first goal of his reign, too, as Kudus provided Richarlison's first of the afternoon when he found Tottenham's No 9 with a cross, which he finished with a volley, though not nearly as impressive as the second.

As it happened | Teams | Match stats

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Brennan Johnson added a third for Spurs just as the euphoria of the second began to settle in N17, softly dinking over Martin Dubravka, to finish a fine, quick, well-made move.

While the Europa League champions claimed the three points with ease in the second half, Scott Parker's side did make his former club work despite their lead in the first.

Burnley ended the first half having had more shots, three to Spurs' two, and more touches in the opposition area, 10 compared to Spurs' six. Hannibal also spurned a huge chance, set up by Jaidon Anthony but his hesitation allowed the Spurs back line to converge and snuff out the danger.

However, with no match for the physicality and pace of Spurs' turnovers, Parker will rue his own side's mistakes and lax approach in possession for their defeat upon their return to the top flight.

More to follow...

Story of the match in stats...

What's coming up in the Premier League?

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Thomas Frank's Tottenham: Super Cup showed set-piece strength, long balls and pressing – but flexibility will also be key

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Thomas Frank's Tottenham: Super Cup showed set-piece strength, long balls and pressing – but flexibility will also be key - Sky Sports
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Tottenham contriving to lose two-goal leads in both the match and the penalty shoot-out in their Super Cup defeat might make it tempting for some to view this as the 'same old Spurs'. But this was different. Thomas Frank's fingerprints were all over the performance.

The new Tottenham boss did not get the result that he wanted against Paris Saint-Germain. The boost of silverware in his very first competitive game in charge would have been a huge moment for him. But there can be no denying that his ideas were evident.

Frank's own assessment that "the operation was a success but the patient died" seemed fair. The tactics were largely vindicated. Even Luis Enrique said they deserved to win, only for PSG to belatedly show their true quality and snaffle away the trophy.

"What a mentality throughout the game. A lot of things to be happy with." That was Frank's verdict. What will be fascinating to see is how much he tweaks those tactics given that it is Burnley up next before travelling to face Manchester City the week after.

It should provide an early insight into Frank's flexibility.

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Set-pieces can be Spurs' strength

His influences in Udine were both overt and subtle. Most obviously, there were the two goals from set-pieces. Both centre-backs scoring could not have been more perfect given that this was a feature of his success at Brentford, proving almost a trademark.

No team in the Premier League scored more headed goals than Frank's Bees last season. They had the highest average shot quality from set-pieces and a conversion rate second only to Liverpool. Brentford also conceded the fewest goals per set-piece.

Frank has long understood that these 'cheap' goals can be the marginal gains that make the difference and there will be Tottenham supporters who will appreciate this attention to detail because the ingredients are there for this to be a major weapon for Spurs too.

Nine of the starting line-up against PSG were over six feet tall. "We knew that was an area where we could hurt PSG and we worked very hard on it." He talked of a "big focus on the set-pieces from all areas of the pitch" and stressed that he would keep doing it.

The opener came from a free-kick won near the halfway line and pumped towards the far post by Guglielmo Vicario. Frank is fond of creating overloads and it was noticeable that Spurs were looking for the free man at the back. It worked for their second goal.

While Frank talked of going "a little more direct" the reality is that this represents a more fundamental shift for Spurs, one hinted at when it became clear that Kevin Danso had won the long-throw competition in training. He took them from right and left in Udine.

Vicario's passing highlights change

But nothing illustrates the change more clearly than the instructions given to Vicario. Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham played the fewest long passes of any team in the Premier League last season - sticking to that regardless of personnel or opposition.

As a result, the two goalkeepers to play the fewest long passes per 90 minutes in the competition both played for Tottenham - Fraser Forster going long slightly less often than Vicario. But the Italian's pass map against PSG showed there was a different approach.

Luis Enrique's side are so fond of pressing that their tactics include booting the ball up the field from kick-offs just so that they can box in the opponent. Frank wanted his team to bypass that, robbing PSG of that opportunity, and it worked for much of the match.

Adjusting to stronger opponents

This ability to adjust is a big reason why Frank is in the job, of course. Postecoglou's failure to do so was a factor in them conceding 65 goals last term, the most by Spurs in over 30 years and their most in a 38-game league season since the First World War.

Tottenham's record against stronger sides was particularly appalling last season, losing 14 of their 16 Premier League games against teams that finished in the top eight. That was more than Leicester and Ipswich and even as many as bottom club Southampton.

Going to a 5-3-2 shape, something that he also did at Brentford, suggests there is a template for those games now. He decided upon it after losing 4-0 to Bayern Munich in pre-season. "I knew we had to do something a little bit different against PSG," he said.

The big question that remains is how Frank adjusts the style against weaker opposition. A clue will come on Saturday when Spurs face Burnley. Tasked with breaking down the team with the best defence in England last season, that should be a very different test.

It is the sort of game for which James Maddison or, dare it be said, Morgan Gibbs-White or Eberechi Eze, might prove especially useful in picking out that pass to unlock things. Without them, it has the potential to be an awkward opener given the turnaround time.

New approach needed against Burnley

But Frank may have a fresh tactical plan. That has been the case ever since his Brentford were promoted to the Premier League via the play-offs in 2021 only to alter their approach upon promotion and survive comfortably, while the previous season's top two in the Championship - Norwich and Watford - were both relegated.

Even last season, Brentford spent a higher proportion of time in a low block than any other team - and yet somehow managed to rank among the top three teams for possession won in the final third. He can flick the switch been pressing and defending deep.

There was evidence of that against PSG because for all the pressure that the Champions League winners were able to assert in the closing stages, there were also examples of Spurs getting after them. "High pressure is a non-negotiable," said Frank.

That could be seen in the efforts of Joao Palhinha, Rodrigo Bentancur and particularly Pape Sarr, the midfield trio showing great enthusiasm to force PSG wide and support the wing-backs to cut out the crosses. Had all three stayed on, Spurs may have won.

For those who travelled to Italy, that lament may linger. But as Frank himself has said, he only allows himself 24 hours to wallow after a defeat. "I will make sure the players are ready and come flying out on Saturday." Do not be shocked if the tactics change again.

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N Forest vs Brentford - Live match updates

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Nottm Forest 0-0 Brentford

Minute's silence for Jota brothers

The Jota brothers are remembered on the pitch with a minute's silence, as they have been around the British football fraternity at the start of this season.

"Diogo and Andre, forever in our hearts" reads a banner placed in front of the dugouts.

McAtee and Hutchinson meet Forest faithful

Sky Sports News' Anton Toloui at the City Ground:

"A loud reaction for Forest’s new signings as they meet the fans for the first time.

"Where James McAtee fits into the this team, and whether Omari Hutchinson can get in ahead of Hudson-Odoi and Ndoye is for another day. The fans are happy they’re here and they want more.

"Will they be bemoaning the lack of signings after Brentford have come to town?"

Dawson: How Ndoye makes up for lacking Elanga pace

Sky Sports' Michael Dawson on Super Sunday:

"When Forest lost Elanga, he was one of those who got Forest up the pitch.

"Ndoye is very similar, but he doesn't quite have the same pace as Elanga. There's probably a bit more skill in him where he can face a player up, go past him - but I'm really excited.

"We saw him at Bologna playing on the left, but with Callum Hudson-Odoi here he's probably going to play on the right."

Team news reminder

Nottingham Forest team: Sels, Williams, Murillo, Milenkovic, Aina, Anderson, Sangare, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi, Ndoye, Wood.

Brentford team: Kelleher, Kayode, Van den Berg, Collins, Henry, Yarmoliuk, Jensen, Milambo, Carvalho, Lewis-Potter, Thiago.

Nuno pleas for 'more players' while starting his tried and trusted

Sky Sports News' Anton Toloui at the City Ground:

"For all of Nuno Espirito Santo’s talk about needing “more players” and a squad lacking balance, he only starts one of his new signings. Dan Ndoye has become a popular member of the changing room in just two weeks and his mission to replace the creativity, pace and assists of Anthony Elanga starts today.

"Igor Jesus and Jair watch from the bench as Nuno trusts ten of his soldiers from last season. The Portuguese coach is known for working with a small group of players but as many as five new players could be in the squad before Crystal Palace next Sunday. It's interesting times at the City Ground."

Keane: Huge opportunity for Andrews

Sky Sports' Roy Keane on Super Sunday:

"Try to win some games would be my advice! He's had a tough summer with some players leaving and the manager leaving, but he's been in that environment for the last year working there.

"What an opportunity to work in the Premier League. Even with all the problems they've had, there's still a good group of players and enough quality there. If they can get a few in, what an opportunity.

"He talks a good game, he always has. He just needs to back it up now. It's a good game for him today, they've got a good record at Nottm Forest, they've always been strong in terms of set-pieces - he's got to embrace it and see how he gets on."

How will Andrews fare in first managerial gig?

Sky Sports' Laura Hunter:

"Another point of intrigue is of course in the Brentford dugout, as Keith Andrews takes charge of his first game as manager, 13 years after his final Premier League appearance as a player for West Brom.

"Thomas Frank is a tough act to follow. Brentford overachieved under Frank's rule for years and now he's gone, the bookies make Brentford one of the favourites for relegation. I think that's hasty, but today should be a decent indicator of how together this team are following a summer of change."

Anticipation building...

Keane: Forest can have another good season

Sky Sports' Roy Keane on Super Sunday:

"Forest can have another good season. They faded towards the end of last season which showed how mentally tough it was for them.

"The manager doesn't look too upbeat today either and that's just his personality but you want a bit more energy from him.

"He obviously doesn't take too much notice of pre-season, and I still think there's enough in there for Forest to have a good season.

"They've got another couple of signings coming in and if they can do some business over the next week or two he'll be pleased."

Forest to struggle while juggling multiple competitions?

Nottingham Forest played some unsustainable football last season and it's very hard to see how they're going to improve on what they achieved.

Top goalscorer Chris Wood converted 30 per cent of his overall attempts in the Premier League last term, while goalkeeper Matz Sels enjoyed the season of his life, boasting the best save percentage in the league. They can't be expected to keep those numbers up.

And Forest return to Europe this season which is bound to influence the side's performance. If you exclude Conference League participants, non-big-six teams who qualify for Europe win around 14 points fewer in the campaign immediately following qualification.

That isn't too relevant for this devilishly difficult fixture to analyse from a betting perspective, but something to note when the fixtures start to pile up. This clash looks one where the draw is a huge runner at 12/5 with Sky Bet.

SCORE PREDICTION: 1-1

New faces in town at City Ground

Sky Sports News' Anton Toloui at the City Ground:

"James McAtee and Omari Hutchinson are at the City Ground.

"Both will be presented to the fans before kick-off, giving Nuno Espirito Santo a much needed squad boost.

"Arnaud Kalimuendo is also in the area to complete his move from Rennes. That alone won't make the head coach happy, though - three points will help."

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Nuno emphasises Forest 'improvement'

Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo speaking on Sky Sports:

"Expectations are high, we have to improve many things of our game and that starts today. We have to focus on the game and hopefully get better, players are coming in to help us.

"The first step is always the basic topic we address, being strong and compact and not giving too many chances to our opponent."

Nuno explains frustrations ahead of season opener

WATCH: Andrews hails Brentford's young guns

Can Thiago impress with Wissa missing?

Sky Sports' Laura Hunter:

"As for Brentford, there are a few unknowns. It'll be interesting to see what Igor Thiago can offer after an interrupted start to his Bees career following a meniscus injury last season. He was signed for a club-record fee in 2024 and is yet to have a real opportunity to repay that.

"Yoane Wissa is absent, given ongoing transfer speculation, so there is an obvious void up top.

"Summer addition Caoimhin Kelleher starts in goal."

Strong XI from Nuno

Sky Sports' Laura Hunter:

"As expected from Nuno Espirito Santo - about as strong as Forest can line up. Ryan Yates is probably the only one who stakes a place in that starting XI. Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi and Wood are a fearsome front three. And I really like that central defensive partnership of Murillo and Milenkovic, as solid as they come."

Brentford team news

Brentford team: Kelleher, Kayode, Van den Berg, Collins, Henry, Yarmoliuk, Jensen, Milambo, Carvalho, Lewis-Potter, Thiago.

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Nottingham Forest team news

Nottingham Forest team: Sels, Williams, Murillo, Milenkovic, Aina, Anderson, Sangare, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi, Ndoye, Wood.

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Thomas Frank's Tottenham: Super Cup showed set-piece strength, long balls and pressing – but flexibility will also be key

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Thomas Frank's Tottenham: Super Cup showed set-piece strength, long balls and pressing – but flexibility will also be key - Sky Sports
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Tottenham contriving to lose two-goal leads in both the match and the penalty shoot-out in their Super Cup defeat might make it tempting for some to view this as the 'same old Spurs'. But this was different. Thomas Frank's fingerprints were all over the performance.

The new Tottenham boss did not get the result that he wanted against Paris Saint-Germain. The boost of silverware in his very first competitive game in charge would have been a huge moment for him. But there can be no denying that his ideas were evident.

Frank's own assessment that "the operation was a success but the patient died" seemed fair. The tactics were largely vindicated. Even Luis Enrique said they deserved to win, only for PSG to belatedly show their true quality and snaffle away the trophy.

"What a mentality throughout the game. A lot of things to be happy with." That was Frank's verdict. What will be fascinating to see is how much he tweaks those tactics given that it is Burnley up next before travelling to face Manchester City the week after.

It should provide an early insight into Frank's flexibility.

Sky Sports to show 215 live PL games from this season

Got Sky? Watch Premier League games LIVE on your phone📱

No Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW 📺

Set-pieces can be Spurs' strength

His influences in Udine were both overt and subtle. Most obviously, there were the two goals from set-pieces. Both centre-backs scoring could not have been more perfect given that this was a feature of his success at Brentford, proving almost a trademark.

No team in the Premier League scored more headed goals than Frank's Bees last season. They had the highest average shot quality from set-pieces and a conversion rate second only to Liverpool. Brentford also conceded the fewest goals per set-piece.

Frank has long understood that these 'cheap' goals can be the marginal gains that make the difference and there will be Tottenham supporters who will appreciate this attention to detail because the ingredients are there for this to be a major weapon for Spurs too.

Nine of the starting line-up against PSG were over six feet tall. "We knew that was an area where we could hurt PSG and we worked very hard on it." He talked of a "big focus on the set-pieces from all areas of the pitch" and stressed that he would keep doing it.

The opener came from a free-kick won near the halfway line and pumped towards the far post by Guglielmo Vicario. Frank is fond of creating overloads and it was noticeable that Spurs were looking for the free man at the back. It worked for their second goal.

While Frank talked of going "a little more direct" the reality is that this represents a more fundamental shift for Spurs, one hinted at when it became clear that Kevin Danso had won the long-throw competition in training. He took them from right and left in Udine.

Vicario's passing highlights change

But nothing illustrates the change more clearly than the instructions given to Vicario. Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham played the fewest long passes of any team in the Premier League last season - sticking to that regardless of personnel or opposition.

As a result, the two goalkeepers to play the fewest long passes per 90 minutes in the competition both played for Tottenham - Fraser Forster going long slightly less often than Vicario. But the Italian's pass map against PSG showed there was a different approach.

Luis Enrique's side are so fond of pressing that their tactics include booting the ball up the field from kick-offs just so that they can box in the opponent. Frank wanted his team to bypass that, robbing PSG of that opportunity, and it worked for much of the match.

Adjusting to stronger opponents

This ability to adjust is a big reason why Frank is in the job, of course. Postecoglou's failure to do so was a factor in them conceding 65 goals last term, the most by Spurs in over 30 years and their most in a 38-game league season since the First World War.

Tottenham's record against stronger sides was particularly appalling last season, losing 14 of their 16 Premier League games against teams that finished in the top eight. That was more than Leicester and Ipswich and even as many as bottom club Southampton.

Going to a 5-3-2 shape, something that he also did at Brentford, suggests there is a template for those games now. He decided upon it after losing 4-0 to Bayern Munich in pre-season. "I knew we had to do something a little bit different against PSG," he said.

The big question that remains is how Frank adjusts the style against weaker opposition. A clue will come on Saturday when Spurs face Burnley. Tasked with breaking down the team with the best defence in England last season, that should be a very different test.

It is the sort of game for which James Maddison or, dare it be said, Morgan Gibbs-White or Eberechi Eze, might prove especially useful in picking out that pass to unlock things. Without them, it has the potential to be an awkward opener given the turnaround time.

New approach needed against Burnley

But Frank may have a fresh tactical plan. That has been the case ever since his Brentford were promoted to the Premier League via the play-offs in 2021 only to alter their approach upon promotion and survive comfortably, while the previous season's top two in the Championship - Norwich and Watford - were both relegated.

Even last season, Brentford spent a higher proportion of time in a low block than any other team - and yet somehow managed to rank among the top three teams for possession won in the final third. He can flick the switch been pressing and defending deep.

There was evidence of that against PSG because for all the pressure that the Champions League winners were able to assert in the closing stages, there were also examples of Spurs getting after them. "High pressure is a non-negotiable," said Frank.

That could be seen in the efforts of Joao Palhinha, Rodrigo Bentancur and particularly Pape Sarr, the midfield trio showing great enthusiasm to force PSG wide and support the wing-backs to cut out the crosses. Had all three stayed on, Spurs may have won.

For those who travelled to Italy, that lament may linger. But as Frank himself has said, he only allows himself 24 hours to wallow after a defeat. "I will make sure the players are ready and come flying out on Saturday." Do not be shocked if the tactics change again.

Source

Thomas Frank says Tottenham can take on 'anyone in the world' after narrow Super Cup defeat to PSG

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Thomas Frank says Tottenham can take on 'anyone in the world' after narrow Super Cup defeat to PSG - Sky Sports
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Thomas Frank vowed Spurs showed they can take on "anyone in the world" after their penalty shoot-out defeat to PSG in the Super Cup.

Spurs had led the Champions League winners 2-0 with five minutes remaining before a painful late collapse which culminated in Nuno Mendes' winner from 12 yards after Micky Van de Ven and Mathys Tel had missed their spot kicks.

PSG had shown the full effect of only returning to training last week following their Club World Cup exploits in July but Spurs' resilience and work off the ball, as well as their impact from set-pieces - which produced both their goals - put them on the verge of a second trophy in three months until that capitulation.

PSG 2-2 Tottenham (4-3 on pens) - Match report

How the teams lined up | Match stats

"I think we played a very good game against one of the best teams in the world, maybe the best," Frank told TNT Sports after the match.

"We had them exactly where we wanted them for 80-somethimg minutes until 2-1. Then it shifted the momentum but I'm so proud of the team, players, club and fans.

"We showed we can be adaptable and pragmatic. We needed to be that against a team like PSG, with the way we wanted to defend with both high pressure and a low block. The first half was almost perfect and the set-pieces were very dangerous.

"In one game, I think we have shown we can play against any team in the world. I'm not in doubt about that and that's a positive to take away from this."

Frank: Spurs have 24 hours to get over defeat

The manner of Spurs' defeat may prove more chastening for Frank's players than the result itself, with PSG clear favourites going into Wednesday's game in Udine.

The Spurs boss championed a '24-hour' policy at former club Brentford where players and staff had a day to get a result out of their system before moving on to the next game.

In Tottenham's case, that begins less than three days after full-time in Italy when they host Burnley in their Premier League opener at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, kick-off 3pm.

"I have a rule for 24 hours, it's a short turnaround but there'll be a bit of disappointment for 24 hours," he confirmed.

"Then tomorrow [Thursday] afternoon we'll be ready, Friday we'll be more ready and then we make sure we're ready to come flying out at the weekend."

Analysis: Painfully close - but Frank played to squad's strengths

Analysis from Sky Sports' Adam Bate in Udine:

"The Tottenham supporters had shuffled out by the time that Paris Saint-Germain lifted the trophy. But the Spurs players had to stand and applaud knowing that they were close to claiming it themselves. Painfully close.

"There was so much to admire about Tottenham's determined performance in a game that pitted them against the Champions League winners - and now UEFA Super Cup winners.

"Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero did more than just shackle the formidable PSG attack for much of the match, they scored the goals that put Spurs on the brink of a memorable victory in Udine.

"Thomas Frank's fingerprints were all over it. Two goals from set-pieces. Kevin Danso hurling in long throws from right and left.

"Ahead of them, Joao Palhinha, Rodrigo Bentancur and particularly Pape Sarr worked constantly to protect the defence. Pedro Porro's positioning allowed Spurs to shift from a back four to a back five.

"Supporters will be encouraged by what they saw from Mohammed Kudus too but this was never going to be a game to showcase the more expansive side of their game.

"In truth, Frank does not have the players to do so right now. It was only weeks ago that fans were weighing up how to accommodate Morgan Gibbs-White and James Maddison. Now they are without a natural No 10.

"The best that they could hope for after a humbling pre-season defeat to Bayern Munich was to show some resolve and they certainly looked like a team playing for each other. The great pity for Tottenham is that PSG just beat the clock to beat them.

"Fabian Ruiz brought real balance in midfield after coming on, dictating proceedings thereafter, while Lee Kang-In showed the composure that was needed in the final third. Ousmane Dembele's change of position was also key to the equaliser.

"Even the shoot-out mirrored the match, with Spurs racing into a 2-0 lead only to see it wiped out. It was a performance full of heart even if the fans in Udine will feel frustrated that their team were pushed so deep that they could not control the final minutes.

"It is a quick turnaround before facing Burnley on Saturday in what will be a game that will test Frank in very different ways.

"Players and supporters could be forgiven for feeling a little flat going into it. This trophy was almost theirs, after all. But unlike Inter in the Champions League final, they were close to beating PSG. Painfully close."

Source