Spurs ease pressure on Frank as Simons rounds off easy win against Slavia Prague

The difficulties in trying to find meaning in much the new version of the Champions League has to offer before the knockout stages arrive makes it premature to assume that Tottenham are on their way to becoming a winning machine at home.

Spurs did not have to extend themselves to defeat moderate opposition on a sentimental evening and although a second triumph in front of their supporters in the space of four days was welcome Thomas Frank would be wise not to read too much into victory over a Slavia Prague side who looked as if they would be better off in the Europa League.

Frank, of course, is entitled to cling on to signs of progress after a tough few weeks. This was only the sixth home win in all competitions for the Dane this season and he will not mind that it arrived with the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium close to 15,000 below capacity.

It was still an enjoyable performance from Spurs to see off the Czech champions, who remain winless after six games of the league phase, and it mattered that they stepped up on the night they welcomed their former captain, Son Heung-min, back for an emotional homecoming.

It is perhaps indicative of the bloated nature of this competition’s new format that even the return of Son to N17 for the first time since his move to LAFC last summer was not enough to fill the ground.

There were plenty of empty seats in the upper tiers, although there was still a huge ovation for the night’s special guest when he appeared on the pitch 10 minutes before kick-off. “An incredible 10 years,” Son said as he reflected on a decade of service and addressed the crowd. “I will always be Spurs. I will always be with you. This will always be my home.”

It was Son, of course, who scored the first goal at this ground after Spurs moved home in 2019. The South Korean forward will for ever be remembered as a legend here.

A mural of him was unveiled on Tottenham High Road on Tuesdayafternoon and his presence lifted the atmosphere, even if it must be pointed out that his successors also did their bit to keep the mood positive by making the kind of fast start so often lacking from Spurs at home this season. There was less than a minute on the clock when Wilson Odobert, who replaced Randal Kolo Muani on the left, flew past Tomas Holes and sent in a cross that Richarlison should have buried.

Slavia’s David Zima (next to No 17) headed the ball to give Tottenham the lead. Photograph: John Walton/PA

Spurs, moving the ball briskly, looked good. Frank had to build momentum after his side’s win over Brentford and it helped that he did not tinker much. Archie Gray kept his place in midfield, Xavi Simons continued at No 10 and the hosts were dominant during the early stages. Jindrich Stanek, Slavia’s goalkeeper, was busy during the opening 15 minutes. However, the visitors carried a threat on the break. Lukas Provod tested Guglielmo Vicario’s concentration levels by shooting from long range and Michal Sadilek was wasteful with a free header midway through the first half.

There was still an edginess to Spurs. Mohammed Kudus was guilty of some loose touches and Micky van de Ven will miss next month’s game against Borussia Dortmund after picking up a booking for a tussle with Mojmir Chytil.

It was fortunate that Slavia were even more careless. They trailed when Cristian Romero flicked on Pedro Porro’s corner in the 26th minute and David Zima’s failure to twist his neck enough at the far post led to the left-back sending a strange header into his own goal.

Although there were flashes from Slavia at the other end they did not appear to have enough to throw Spurs off course.

It was 2-0 five minutes into the second half, Kudus converting a penalty awarded when Youssoupha Sanyang was deemed to have fouled Porro. Now Spurs could relax. Odobert soon had a chance to score a third, only for Stanek to repel the winger’s fierce drive.

Slavia, who look highly unlikely to make it into the playoff round, kept plugging away. Spurs eased off a little as the hour approached. Frank looked to preserve energy before Sunday’s trip to Nottingham Forest. He replaced Gray with Pape Sarr and brought Kudus off for Mathys Tel, who has been added to the Champions League squad as a replacement for the injured Dominic Solanke.

Eager to impress, Tel soon came close to scoring. Sarr also had a chance before Simons won and converted another penalty during the closing stages.

Simons’ second goal in as many games was good news for Spurs. The Dutchman’s belief is growing and the pressure on Frank has eased.