Frank’s approach has been condemned as negative by his detractors – one more suited to Brentford than Spurs. That criticism was cranked up in November after the home defeat by Chelsea and the 4-1 loss at Arsenal in the north London derby, but the signs were positive here.
He has been hit over the head with poor expected goals (xG) statistics. So he can point to the fact that against Brentford, Spurs produced their second-highest xG total in a league game this season (2.15), their highest number of shots on target (seven), plus their lowest number of shots faced (four), shots on target (one) and lowest xG against total (0.29).
The statistic that mattered most, though, is the one that always does.
It should have been more than 2-0, but it gave Spurs only their second league win at home this season, and their first since Burnley were beaten on the opening weekend of the season.
On Spurs looking more threatening, Frank said: “I think it’s because of a few things. I like the look of the team in general. It’s a little bit of everything.”
He added: “I think it was a very good performance overall. A quite complete performance. Offensively we looked a big threat going forward. We were much more dynamic and producing good chances and good moments. I really like that.
“Also on the defensive side of things, we kept them to four shots throughout the game. It was a really good performance. The fans were amazing from the off and the players were thriving off them. To have that complete collaboration together, I really loved that. It was a great win.
“We felt we needed a top performance for all of us and if we can do more of this together, then this can be the fortress we dream of. It is one step forward, there are a lot of steps to be there every week consistently but I loved it. I think the fans were very good.”
It was also the day when Xavi Simons, who has struggled to make a consistent impact since his £51.8m summer move from RB Leipzig, finally showed what all the fuss was about.
Simons’ run and cross put Richarlison’s opener on a plate after 25 minutes. Then two minutes before the interval, he recovered from losing possession to run from just inside his own half and accelerate away from Brentford’s defence, scoring his first goal for Spurs.
The Netherlands forward revelled in his free role, pulling the strings behind a front trio of Mohammed Kudus, Richarlison and Randal Kolo Muani.
It was a performance that delighted his manager, who said: “I am really so pleased for him because he has been working so hard on the training pitch and in the gym.
“He is a 24/7 pro and wants it so badly. I think he has been on a good run and close to being decisive. Today with an assist and a goal, very good.”
In 2025, before this win, Spurs had played 16 league games at home, winning only three and losing 10. This is the pattern Frank has to change.
The toxicity of last week had gone in line with the improved performance, with gallows humour returning as one fan responded to the applause at half-time by cupping an ear then asking: “What’s that strange noise?”
It will have been music to the ears of Frank – but he will know Spurs must continue the upward curve at home to Slavia Prague in the Champions League on Tuesday.
