Tottenham manager Thomas Frank praised his side’s defensive discipline after Spurs claimed a 2-0 victory over Manchester City at the Etihad on Saturday, a result that sent them top of the Premier League.
Quick-fire first-half goals from Brennan Johnson and Joao Palhinha sealed the win, with Frank’s men limiting Pep Guardiola’s champions to very few chances in the second half.
“The clean sheet makes me very happy. It is a big thing we’ve been working on, the defensive side of the game,” Frank said after the match. “(With) clean sheets you are closer to win the game.”
The Danish coach, who only took charge this summer, highlighted how his players responded positively after their narrow UEFA Super Cup defeat to Paris Saint-Germain earlier this month, where Spurs conceded twice late on before losing on penalties.
“From every game you learn, and games where you don’t get the result you learn even more,” he added. “Defensive principles and the mentality is the key thing. We need this mentality to win games like this.”
Spurs had managed just six clean sheets across the entire Premier League campaign last season, finishing 17th, but they have already recorded two in as many league games this term, following up their 3-0 opening-day win over Burnley with a shutout against the champions.
Frank also applauded the immediate impact of summer signings Mohammed Kudus and Palhinha, despite the collapse of a high-profile move for Eberechi Eze, who opted to join Arsenal instead.
“It is extremely important that we understand we have a good group of quality players that I am very pleased with,” Frank said. “We brought in two good players to help. If we can improve it? Perfect.”
Tottenham, who also impressed in pre-season against PSG despite the defeat, now sit top of the table after two matches, with early signs suggesting Frank has quickly instilled a defensive steel missing in recent years.
