Football React | Spurs fans discuss opening night win in Champions League

Tottenham Hotspur 1 - 0 Villarreal

Thomas Frank marked his debut in the Champions League with a narrow win over Villarreal.

Author | Greg S

Stadium | Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Spurs corner

Let’s have a look at some of the best reaction

Andy: The match underlined once more that Spurs have a strong defence. Most of the good football was played in their own half, but once they reached the final third the quality dropped. Kudus was the only one offering any threat in attack. The Villarreal game highlighted just how much they miss Maddison, a playmaker who can unlock defences with vision and clever passing.

Marcus: Own goals are a blessing because Spurs did not look like scoring otherwise. It was a below-par display, but as the saying goes, good teams find a way to win. Keeping clean sheets will be vital, and that is not something Spurs supporters have been accustomed to in recent years.

Tommy: Simons and Van de Ven could both have seen red cards. Spurs were poor, but the referee did little to help either.

READ MORE | Match report from European Super Football

Edward: Spurs started well for a change, but their attacking play was lacking. Perhaps they were slightly fortunate to take all three points, yet Vicario was barely troubled. It felt more like a mature display than much of what has been seen over the past couple of seasons. On to the next.

Tez: To play so badly and still win is remarkable. Some of the passing was among the worst seen from Spurs in a long time. Thankfully the opposition goalkeeper was generous. Spurs need to improve quickly.

Tottenham Hotspur tifo

Erica: There was little shape or cohesion in attack. Bergvall looked the biggest threat, while Simons failed to beat a single defender. Richarlison received almost no service, and Spurs were fortunate to be gifted the decisive goal.

Andy: I thought it was an impressive performance. Despite the criticism, Spurs controlled the game and never looked like conceding. The team must now be built around Bergvall, Kudus, Simons and Palhinha.

Jeremy: Xavi Simons is a revelation. He’s barely been with this team and is already firing shots with plenty of venom, finding his teammates with clever passes in the box, and making a nuisance of himself. Think I might be in love. He needs to knock off the cheap fouls, though.

Liza: It is hard not to feel a little sympathy for Luiz Junior, though the nature of the goal was still laugh-out-loud funny. For what it is worth, Richarlison was well placed at the back post and ready to finish had the ball evaded Junior.