Richarlison Brilliance Against Burnley Marks Dream Premier League Start for Thomas Frank at Tottenham

Richarlison’s Double Helps Thomas Frank’s Spurs Start the 2025-26 Campaign in Style

Tottenham Hotspur ushered in a new era under Thomas Frank with a performance that felt like a statement of intent, and at the heart of it all was Richarlison. Following the Super Cup loss to PSG, the Lilywhites' boss said, 'we will come out flying against Burnley,' and they certainly did.

The Brazilian striker, Richarlison, struck twice, including a spectacular scissor-kick finish, to give his new manager the perfect Premier League debut in a 3-0 win over Burnley.

Frank, appointed in June after his successful stint with Brentford, could not have asked for a brighter beginning. Spurs, who had endured turbulence last season despite lifting the Europa League, played with freedom and conviction, with Richarlison embodying the energy Frank has been eager to instil.

The breakthrough came early. Mohamed Kudus, making his domestic bow after a £55m move from West Ham, burst down the right flank and picked out Richarlison. The forward swivelled sharply before sweeping home on the turn, setting the tone for a lively afternoon.

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The link between Kudus and Richarlison proved electric again before the interval—this time the Ghanaian floated a teasing cross into the box, and Richarlison met it with an audacious acrobatic volley that had the home crowd on their feet and replaying it in disbelief.

By the hour mark, Spurs had all but sealed the points. Richarlison, brimming with confidence, was involved in the build-up as Brennan Johnson raced through to tuck away the third. The roar inside the stadium matched the sense of relief among supporters, who had grown weary of the inconsistency that marred the previous campaign.

Frank, pacing the touchline with animated gestures, soaked in the chants of “Champions of Europe” echoing from the stands, a nod to the club’s Europa League triumph in May.

Yet this afternoon was less about past glories and more about laying the foundations of a new chapter. The Dane’s system already looks designed to extract the best from his forward line, and with James Maddison sidelined long term, the responsibility on Richarlison has never been clearer.

For the Brazilian, this was more than a personal revival. After a modest return last season, his brace symbolised a forward ready to shoulder the responsibility of being Spurs’ focal point. His every touch was met with applause, and when he departed to a standing ovation midway through the second half, the message from the fans was unmistakable: this could be his season.

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It may only be the first weekend of the Premier League calendar, but Richarlison’s scissor-kick will already feature in goal-of-the-season conversations. More importantly, it provided the perfect backdrop for Thomas Frank’s first taste of league football in North London, which was a stylish win, a rejuvenated striker, and the sense that Spurs might be braced for something special.