"It was a nervy debut for Frank in the big time, his team retreating into their shells after half-time, looking to hold on to the lead they were presented with at the outset by one of the great goalkeeping howlers. It was a moment to haunt Luiz Junior. Villarreal pressed on to the front foot and it was a night when the yellow cards fluttered and the referee, Rade Obrenovic, never gave the impression that he was fully in control."
"Villarreal advertised the equaliser and there was the moment on 84 minutes when Micky van de Ven barged over Georges Mikautadze on the very edge of the area as the striker ran through. Van de Ven escaped with a yellow card and the Villarreal winger, Nicolas Pepe a danger throughout whipped the free-kick inches wide. Spurs got away with it, relief the overriding emotion when it was all over. Frank could simply cherish the points."
"Tottenham's appearance in the European Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain had been nice, a spin-off from their famous Europa League triumph over Manchester United at the end of last season but this was the real upside, the tournament that everyone connected to the club wants to contest. It is fundamental on every level; for the finances, for the sporting culture."
Thomas Frank made a nervy Champions League debut as Tottenham earned a narrow victory over Villarreal after taking an early lead from a major goalkeeping error. Villarreal dominated after half-time, forcing several cautions while the referee struggled to control the match. A late incident saw Micky van de Ven concede a contentious free-kick after barging Georges Mikautadze, with Nicolas Pepe narrowly missing the chance. Relief prevailed among Spurs when the game finished and Frank retained the points. The match underscored the Champions League's financial and cultural importance to Tottenham following their recent European successes.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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