Tottenham Hotspur managed to secure a tense 1-0 victory over Villarreal in Thomas Frank’s first Champions League outing as Spurs boss.
While the game may not have thrilled the crowd with end-to-end action, it certainly delivered drama both on and off the pitch, particularly around a controversial refereeing decision late in the match.
Controversial Challenge Sparks Debate
The spotlight fell on Spurs defender Micky van de Ven after a late challenge on Georges Mikautadze, which many expected to result in a red card.
Former stars Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov offered contrasting views on the incident during post-match analysis.
Berbatov, reflecting on his time at Spurs, felt the home side had escaped a serious punishment.
“I think Spurs were lucky with this one, to escape with nothing,” he said.
Rooney, however, backed the referee’s choice to issue a yellow. “I think it’s a yellow card and the right decision was made. The ball is going away and the goalkeeper is in a good position,” he argued.
Early Goal Secures the Win
The only goal of the match came early when Lucas Bergvall whipped in a cross from the right that ended up deflecting into Villarreal goalkeeper Luiz Junior’s own net.
Despite Villarreal’s efforts—led by former Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe—the Spanish side could not break through Tottenham’s defence.
Van de Ven Responds to the Controversy
Speaking after the game, Van de Ven admitted he was nervous about being sent off but agreed with the referee’s decision.
“Of course, you never know what the referee is going to do in that moment,” he said. “I think because I go for the ball it’s not a red card.
I haven’t seen it back properly, so I can’t say what I think at the moment.”
Reflecting on a Hard-Fought Victory
The 23-year-old defender also highlighted the importance of the win, even if Spurs didn’t play at their best.
“It was a tough one. We had a really good start, and of course, you want to build on that, but Villarreal are a really difficult team to play against,” he added.
Van de Ven praised the team’s structure and resilience, saying, “We are a difficult team to beat.
Every player knows their role, and that shows on the pitch.”
Looking Ahead for Tottenham
This victory will give Spurs some momentum as they face tough upcoming European fixtures against Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund.
Domestically, they will travel to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League this weekend, currently sitting third on nine points with just one loss in Frank’s opening four league games.