City 0-2 Spurs | Thomas Frank’s verdict: “The mindset was exceptional”
Sat 23 August 2025, 16:00|
Tottenham Hotspur
Thomas Frank hailed a ‘team performance’ as we deservedly beat Manchester City 2-0 in the Premier League at the Etihad on Saturday.
Everything has to be right to win at City - and it was - defensive structure, bodies on the line, winning possession, transitions, the high press, creating chances - and two well-taken goals made it another afternoon to remember in the Sky Blue half of Manchester - our third win in five here.
Brennan Johnson produced a trademark finish from Richarlison’s cross for the opener on 35 minutes - initially flagged offside, rightly awarded by VAR - before Palhinha marked his first Premier League start for us with his first goal in added time after our high press put City in all kinds of trouble.
We were even better in the second half as City struggled to cut us open, and we looked dangerous on the counter – the final shot count of 12-10 in our favour telling the story.
Speaking to us at the Etihad, Thomas reflected: “I’m so happy with the performance and of course, the win. I think the first 35 minutes was even, City slightly on top, us staying in the game, trying to do the right things, showing great mentality. The goal changed a bit of momentum and after the goal, we were on top more or less for the rest of the game.
“The second half was exceptional. The way we came out... we still wanted to play, high pressure, front footed, really aggressive. I think was very, very difficult for them. That, I'm very proud of.
“Then, of course, the clean sheet mentality. A clean sheet is so important, because then it's easier to win football matches. We work so, so hard on it, and big, big credit to the staff, the players, Matt Wells (assistant coach) has done a top job on that side - the high pressure, the middle pressure, the lower block, defending the box, the mentality to make blocks, it’s so important.”
Asked what particularly impressed him, Thomas added: “The mindset from the players was exceptional. They were brave in phase one and two, which we wanted to do, so we could keep the ball, press a bit and let them run when possible. That mentality and aggressive determination, the high pressure, to keep going, keep locking on, we’re tired, but they’re also tired, that was the difference.”
