Three things we learned as Spurs beat Leeds under Thomas Frank

Tottenham’s 2-1 win over Leeds United at Elland Road offered more than just three points. It was a statement victory that pushed Spurs into the top two before the rest of the weekend’s action, and it delivered important milestones for both players and manager.

Goals from Mathys Tel and Mohammed Kudus, both deflected efforts, were enough to see off Leeds, who equalised through Noah Okafor. Spurs had to dig deep after a draining Champions League trip to Norway, but they showed resilience under pressure.

Frank made it clear to his players before kick-off that ending their dreadful run of defeats before international breaks was a priority. Spurs had not won such a fixture since October 2023, when they edged past Luton. On Saturday, they finally buried that unwanted record.

With Dominic Solanke and Randal Kolo Muani sidelined, Spurs also needed fresh heroes. Tel provided exactly that, while goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario responded to early jitters with key saves late on. What did we learn from this vital win?

For two years, Tottenham had failed to win the final game before international duty. That run gnawed at Frank, who repeatedly reminded his players of its significance this week. Against Leeds, his message got through.

Spurs were not only playing after a tough midweek trip to Bodo/Glimt, but also facing a Leeds side unbeaten at home in over a year. The odds were stacked against them, but Frank’s side handled the pressure and came away with a morale-boosting result.

The psychological barrier has been broken, giving Spurs fans fresh optimism heading into the fortnight break.

Frank has consistently backed Tel despite the teenager missing several chances in recent weeks. On Saturday, his persistence paid off.

Tel’s opener carried a slice of luck via a deflection, but his performance thereafter was filled with confidence. He struck the bar with a looping header and played a defence-splitting ball to set up Xavi Simons, showing maturity in link-up play.

With Solanke and Kolo Muani unavailable, Spurs require extra firepower. Tel’s breakthrough goal suggests he could shoulder more of the burden alongside Richarlison.

The Italian goalkeeper endured a shaky start, flapping at an early cross and spilling the shot that led to Leeds’ equaliser. Yet Vicario recovered admirably, pulling off crucial stops to preserve Spurs’ lead in the second half.

His reflex save from Dominic Calvert-Lewin and his low block in stoppage time against Joel Piroe underlined his value. Questions remain over his command of the box, but his resilience ensured Tottenham’s clean sweep of points.

FootballPlace analyst John William believes Frank’s message management was pivotal. “By confronting the ‘international break curse’ head on, Frank removed the mental block. Spurs delivered when it mattered, showing tactical maturity after a draining midweek trip.”

He also points to Tel’s goal as a potential turning point: “Young strikers thrive on confidence. Tel’s finish may not have been spectacular, but its timing could ignite his season and relieve pressure on Richarlison.”

Tottenham enter the break second in the table, a position that will energise both players and supporters. Frank can now focus on recovery, with Solanke and Kolo Muani working to regain fitness before the next league matches.

When the Premier League resumes, Spurs face Aston Villa at home. A positive result there would further validate Frank’s approach and consolidate Spurs’ status as genuine title contenders.

👉 Do you think Mathys Tel’s breakthrough goal is the start of a consistent run — or will Spurs still need to lean heavily on Richarlison?