Tottenham 3 Burnley 0: Richarlison gets Thomas Frank's reign up and running with stunning overhead kick

Scottish Sun

2 days ago

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RICH PICKINGS Tottenham 3 Burnley 0: Richarlison gets Thomas Frank's reign up and running with stunning overhead kick
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THOMAS FRANK'S decision to back Richarlison paid off instantly as the Brazilian hit a brilliant brace to batter Burnley.
Richarlison's clinical finish got the ball rolling in the first half before his exquisite volley after the break was added to by Brennan Johnson's neat finish.
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Richarlison sweeps Tottenham into the lead
Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
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Tottenham's No9 put in a sensational performance
Credit: Reuters
It showed just why Frank has been happy not to sign another centre-forward this summer, deeming ex-Everton man Richarlison to be adequate competition to support main man Dominic Solanke.
So while Spurs look ready to splash serious cash on attackers like Eberechi Eze and Savinho, do not expect another traditional central striker to come through the door.
Whether that proves a shrewd move or not very much depends on Richarlison's fitness this term.
His talent has never been the problem. He is capable of things others are not, exemplified by his acrobatics for his second strike here.
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But staying fit has consistently been an issue, particularly in the last two years under Ange Postecoglou.
Frank knows he must find a way to keep Richarlison on the pitch and out of the treatment room.
But if he can, then the 28-year-old's display here proved he has a player capable of winning matches on his own on his day.
With Solanke easing his way back in after an ankle injury picked up in pre-season, Richarlison has been leading the line through most of the friendlies.
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Richarlison acrobatically fires Tottenham into a two-goal lead
Credit: Reuters
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The Brazilian celebrates brilliantly doubling Spurs' lead
Credit: PA
He was excellent against Paris Saint-Germain in Wednesday's heartbreaking Super Cup defeat, which Spurs somehow lost on a penalty shootout, despite being 2-0 up with five minutes to go.
Frank freshened up his team with some youthful exuberance, bringing in teenagers Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray into midfield, along with Europa League final hero Johnson.
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Bergvall almost broke the deadlock inside the first 26 seconds, but was denied by Martin Dubravka at close range.
Slovakian Dubravka, making his debut for Burnley following his move from Newcastle, then became the first Premier League stopper to fall foul of the new rules over goalies holding onto the ball too long.
The fresh regulations mean a goalkeeper will be penalised if they hold the ball in their hands for eight seconds or more, and a corner will be given to the opposition.
That is exactly what happened when ref Michael Oliver punished Dubravka for that offence inside four minutes, but the resulting set-piece came to nothing.
Spurs did take an early lead though, thanks to Richarlison's sharp finish and Burnley's slack defending.
Centre-back Maxime Esteve - who has been linked with a move to Spurs on several occasions in the last two windows - fired a lax pass up the pitch which Pape Sarr collected.
The Senegalese then fed the ball to Mohammed Kudus - one of three new buys to be presented to the crowd before kick-off, along with Kota Takai and Joao Palhinha.
Kudus swung in a cross which caught Hjalmar Ekdal out and allowed Richarlison to sweep into the corner.
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Brennan Johnson flicks Tottenham into a three-goal lead
Credit: Reuters
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The Wales international performs injured team-mate James Maddison's celebration
Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
It was only his 21st goal for Spurs in what is now his fourth season, but of course, so many of those previous campaigns have been blighted by injury.
Frank, Richarlison and everyone at Spurs will be praying it is a different story this time round for the Brazilian - and this was the perfect start to his latest new beginning.
Burnley remained composed in their response to the setback - almost as cool as their manager Scott Parker looked into the dugout.
The former Spurs midfielder has always been something of a style icon since becoming a manager and wore a stylish, tight-fitting blue suit as he patrolled the dugout.
His team created a few chances, too, with Esteve and Lyle Foster threatening the goal, while Guglielmo Vicario looked nervy when flapping at a Josh Laurent deflected strike.
With no Kevin Danso in the starting XI, it was on Bergvall to provide the long throws for Frank's side.
The Swede got some good distance on one particular launch, but lacked the power of his Austrian team-mate and Burnley cleared.
It was a decent first half of Premier League football for Frank as Spurs boss, full of control, if not a lot of invention.
His side stepped it up at the start of the second 45 though.
First Micky van de Ven flicked wide a Kudus corner and then Richarlison had two quickfire shots denied, one by Esteve's block and the other by Dubravaka's well-placed left foot.
Then came the moment of the match as Richarlison stepped up for his breathtaking second.
Kudus dropped his shoulder down the right and swung in a cross which the Brazilian acrobatically crashed into the net, despite the ball being behind him.
It reminded everyone just what he is capable of and why, when fit, he can be a real asset for Frank's side going forward.
Parker's Burnley looked toast at that point - and they certainly were when Johnson made it 3-0 shortly after, converting Sarr's through-ball.
Once again, Richarlison was key in the build-up, retaining possession masterfully before offloading to Sarr.
If Spurs can finally keep him fit, after three seasons of injuries, then suddenly their attack looks like it will cause problems for any side.