The Thomas Frank revolution continues at Tottenham Hotspur. Gone are the days of chaos and confusion under Ange Postecoglou. There is an evident fight and spirit about the Lilywhites in 2025/26.
While the north Londoners were far from their free-flowing best away to Leeds United on Saturday afternoon – nor have they been yet under the Danish coach – once again they found a way to win, having run out deserved 2-1 victors at Elland Road.
In what was a hard-fought contest in Yorkshire, the visitors surged ahead following Mathys Tel’s deflected strike, before Noah Okafor levelled things up just nine minutes later, prodding home at the backpost after Guglielmo Vicario’s initial save.
With the game finely poised, up stepped summer signing Mohammed Kudus to nudge Spurs into the lead with his own deflected effort from range, with the Ghanaian’s 57th minute effort ultimately proving the difference as the away side held on for a fourth Premier League win of the campaign.
Spurs' key performers vs Leeds
In wet and windy conditions, the performance from those in black was hardly perfect, yet there was plenty to be encouraged by all across the park, with the defensive duo of Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven again looking rather imperious – the latter man notably winning all of his contested duels, as per Sofascore.
Perhaps the most notable place for positivity was in the forward line, however, with Frank unleashing marquee addition Xavi Simons in his preferred number ten berth. The Dutchman didn’t disappoint.
While there was perhaps the odd trick too many, including his attempted rabona pass after the break, the ex-RB Leipzig playmaker showcased glimpses of his sky-high potential, picking out the advancing Pedro Porro late on with a deft dink over the Leeds defence.
Elsewhere, meanwhile, the decision to give young Tel the nod in attack over man of the moment Richarlison certainly paid off, with the lively Frenchman netting his fourth goal since initially joining the club on loan back in January.
Equally, there were also signs of life from Wilson Odobert down the left flank, with the former Burnley starlet beginning to find his feet following what’s been a muted first year or so in Lilywhite.
Touches
Ampadu (91)
Pass accuracy
Struijk (95%)
Duels won
Kudus (10)
Successful dribbles
Kudus (6)
Key passes
Longstaff (5)
Possession lost
Porro (26)
Shots on target
Kudus (2)
There may not have been much end product, but a 95% pass accuracy rate highlights the Frenchman’s promising outing.
Rounding off that dynamic quartet was, of course, that man Kudus, with the £55m man continuing his stunning start to life at Spurs with another electric performance off the right flank.
The Spurs star who looked like prime Gareth Bale
Comparisons, particularly at such an early juncture in the season, can appear somewhat over the top, although there truly was something Gareth Bale-esque about Kudus’ performance on Saturday, with the 25-year-old already taking on talismanic status in his new surroundings.
Bale at his best, like in 2012/13 when he plundered 25 goals and assists in the Premier League, was a vision of speed and power, along with an end product to match, with the Welshman regularly wreaking havoc off the left or when cutting in centrally.
With blistering pace and the ability to weave his way past defenders with ease, a prime Bale truly was a sight to behold, with few figures in Lilywhite having ever come close to reaching such lofty heights.
There’s been Harry Kane and Heung-min Son since those times, and now Kudus is the latest to join the party, with the former West Ham United maverick taking his tally to one goal and five assists in just seven Premier League games under Frank’s watch.
Having been booked early on for a late challenge on Gabriel Gudmundsson, the fleet-footed forward subsequently slid in Tel for the game’s opener, before getting in on the act himself just before the hour mark.
Cutting in from the right in trademark Bale fashion, Spurs’ number 20 may have enjoyed a fair bit of luck with his eventual strike, although that goal was just reward for what was an all-round stellar performance in attack.
As noted by Sofascore, he successfully completed all six of his attempted dribbles, having also won ten of his attempted duels, showcasing his ability to impact the game both in and out of possession.
As already stated, this wasn’t Spurs at their most potent, yet once again Saturday’s win highlighted the growing importance of and reliance on Kudus to steal the show for Frank’s side.
Like football.london’s Alasdair Gold put it at full time, when handing the winger a 9/10 match rating, he ‘gave Leeds’ defenders nightmares throughout’.
Long may it continue.
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