Three things we learned from Tottenham win as Thomas Frank train gathers speed | OneFootball

Dane had been under pressure after one win in six

Heung-Min Son must have been wondering what all the fuss was about.

David Zima opened the scoring with an admittedly lovely headed finish into his own net, before Mohammed Kudus and then Xavi Simons converted second-half penalties.

Momentum building for Frank

Back-to-back wins for the first time since September 16 to go with consecutive clean sheets for the first time since August.

Victories over Brentford and Slavia Prague cannot be characterised as lift-off moments for the Frank era, but they could at least prove the platform for a turning point.

The last two matches have been much more like it from the north Londoners, showing attacking ambition and giving the fans something to cheer.

Simons' return to the starting lineup has coincided with the two wins and it can be no coincidence, with the Dutchman scoring in both matches and providing the creative spark that has been sorely lacking.

This victory keeps the Europa League winners in the hunt for a top-eight finish and with it, a place straight through to the last-16 of Europe’s top competition.

After a dreadful November, December has brought some much-needed Christmas cheer for Frank.

Spence relishes freedom

Son was back at Spurs and so it felt like at times, was Ange Postecoglou.

The Australian loved his full-backs inverting high up the pitch, while Frank has largely opted for a more cautious approach.

Not so here. Djed Spence on the left spent much of the first half almost as a second No10, drifting right across the pitch and staying high.

That left Micky Van de Ven to cover his space at left-back, with Archie Gray also dropping back when needed.

It worked to good effect. Simons was there to receive a brilliant flick from Simons as Tottenham countered midway through the half, leading to Tomas Holes clearing under his own bar.

Spence was the furthest man forward shortly after, making the run in behind and bringing the ball down well but he could not find anyone with his cut-back.

He had more of a traditional right-back role for much of the half, but the England international still got forward well and forced Jindrich Stanek into a sharp save late on.

Spurs dealt Van de Ven blow

There were very few negatives on the night for Tottenham but an early yellow card for Micky van de Ven could prove costly.

The Dutchman embarked on one of his trademark runs up the pitch and went to hold off Mojmir Chytil, who went down theatrically holding his face.

Much to Van de Ven's frustration, the referee blew for a foul and the centre-back then held onto the ball as he jogged back, shrugging away David Doudera's attempts to grab it.

That earned the defender an entirely unnecessary booking and it was his third of the Champions League campaign.

It means he will be suspended when Borussia Dortmund visit north London in January, a significant blow in a must-win match for Frank’s men.