When Tottenham hosted Manchester United in Saturday’s 2-2 draw, the contest delivered the kind of drama we’ve come to expect between these two.
However, beneath the excitement lies a pattern of concern for Spurs: the same home-issues, the same management choices, the same failure to convert dominance into victory.
Spurs do deserve praise for the fight-back. One goal down at the break, they improved after half-time.
Manager Thomas Frank’s decision to bring on Mathys Tel for Xavi Simons drew boos from the crowd, but the Dane was vindicated when Tel scored the equaliser. Frank defended the choice, citing squad-management and impact.
And yet: this was a draw that feels like a defeat. Spurs’ home record remains patchy – only one league win at home this season and a run of three wins in their last 19 at home.
Their inability to defend a late set-piece proved costly when United’s Matthijs de Ligt headed home in the 96th minute. The same mistakes keep creeping in, particularly defending dead-ball situations.
Furthermore, questions over squad depth and decision-making linger. The substitutions helped spark the comeback – but the crowd’s reaction suggests Frank’s relationship with expectations is fragile. And the home crowd needs more than comebacks; they need control from the start.
In short: Spurs showed character, but not completeness. They have the talent and belief. But until they learn to close out games, especially at home, the message isn’t progress – it’s regression. A draw is obviously better than a loss, but for a team aiming higher, it still feels like two points dropped.
Tottenham sat third in the table at full-time and are firmly in the European picture, but Frank will be aware that the job of convincing all linked with Spurs that he can thrive in the role is far from finished.
