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Thomas Frank enjoyed a positive European bow thanks to a disastrous error by Villarreal keeper Luiz Junior.

Uncontested, the Villarreal player dropped a Spurs player's cross into the goal, handing Tottenham a perfect start.

This represented former Brentford gaffer the coach's maiden time in the competition, but Spurs faced scares at moments before the half.

Only a action by Van de Ven prevented ex-Arsenal winger the forward from scoring, while Tajon Buchanan fired a shot astray.

However an excellent intervention by Junior denied Spurs from scoring a second goal when he blocked the midfielder's shot.

The Spanish team applied pressure in the latter period, but the home side stood firm to repel them.

The forward could have improved with a header as the team sought a second goal, but in the end it was not needed.

Analysis: The Team Unconvincing but Defence Shines

It proved to be the outcome the club aimed for on their return to the European stage, but it was not a perfect showing.

The goalie's costly blunder gave the fans roused and could have been the base for a commanding performance, but that failed to materialise.

Tottenham's beginning to the campaign has been impressive, with notable successes against one opponent and City, but there was also a concerning performance in a setback to Bournemouth.

They showed more comparisons to that fixture with some sloppy passages of play and sloppy passes whenever they attacked.

Despite that, their defending was resolute with the defender and Rodrigo Bentancur making crucial tackles, especially in the later stages.

Victory means Spurs are now without a loss in their last 21 matches at home in continental competitions.

Player of the Match

Jersey: 37 the defender

Average Rating: 7.49

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Related Topics

• European Football
• Spurs
• Soccer