Richarlison brace gets Thomas Frank's Tottenham reign off to a winning start
RICHARLISON scored two goals, the second of which is a goal of the season contender, to get Tottenham's Premier League campaign off to a flying start under new manager Thomas Frank.
Richarlison's Spurs career has been disrupted by injuries, but the Brazilian showed why he was valued at €70m Euros when he was signed three years ago. Against new boys Burnley, his first goal was a smart strike from 12 yards, converting a cross from Mohammed Kudus with a low finish.
His second, on the hour mark, was spectacular, as he produced a flying scissor kick from similar distance to volley home another Kudus cross. It was reminiscent of one he scored for Brazil against Serbia at the 2022 world cup, and a reminder that he can produce moments of magic in front of goal.
Richarlison also played a part in Brennan Johnson's goal five minutes later which effectively sealed three points for Tottenham, against a hard-working Burnley side managed by former Spur Scott Parker and featuring another old boy, Kyle Walker, on his debut for the Clarets.
Parker led Burnley to promotion on the back of a miserly defence, but they will have to go up a level to compete in the Premier League. Although they created more chances than Frank would have liked, they look lightweight in attack and not strong enough at the back when facing a team like Tottenham, still basking in the glory of their Europa League triumph 11 weeks ago.
Frank has the task of taking Tottenham back to the higher reaches of the league, after their lowly 17th place finish last season, and it is clear he is prepared to be more flexible tactically than his predecessor Ange Postecoglou.
The new manager walked around the touchline at the final whistle, applauding the home supporters, who had precious little to cheer about in the Premier League last season.
Having played five at the back in the UEFA Super Cup final against Paris St Germain on Wednesday, and only losing to the European Champions on penalties, Frank reverted to a 4-3-3 formation and got his rewards with a solid display that was more workmanlike than thrilling – apart from Richarlison's superb strike.
Frank could also enjoy a strong debut from Kudus, signed from West Ham in the summer, and if his side can continue to keep clean sheets, and score goals as freely as this, they should improve significantly on last season's league form.
For Burnley, there will be easier games than Tottenham away, but Martin Dubravka, on his debut for them, went into the record books as the first Premier League keeper to be punished for holding the ball for more than eight seconds, with referee Michael Oliver awarding Tottenham a corner as the new law states.
It was that sort of afternoon for the visitors, contrasting with job well done by Tottenham.
TOTTENHAM (4-3-3): Vicario 6; Porro 7, Romero 6, Van de Ven 7, Spence 7; Sarr 7, Gray 7 (Bentancur 71), Bergvall 7 (Palhinha 80); Kudus 7 (Tel 85), Richarlison 8 (Solanke 71), Johnson 7 (Odobert 80)
BURNLEY (5-3-2): Dubravka 6; Sonne 5 (Tchaouna 74), Walker 6, Ekdal 5, Esteve 5, Hartman 6; Cullen 6, Anthony 7 (Edwards 85) Laurent 6 (Ugochukwu 63); Hannibal 6 (Bruun Larsen 63) Foster 6 (Flemming 74)
Referee: M Oliver
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