Analysis: Frank faces fan fury once morepublished at 19:47 GMT 24 January
19:47 GMT 24 January
Phil McNulty Chief football writer
Image source, Getty Images
Tottenham head coach Thomas Frank was grateful for the point Cristian Romero's header gave his side - but it did not spare him another furious reaction from the travelling fans.
"Sacked in the morning" rang out from the visiting section of Turf Moor - along with other more unprintable chants - as Frank and his players made their way towards the dressing room.
The level of discontent surely makes Frank's situation unsustainable after they failed to finish off a Burnley team who increasingly look like prime relegation candidates.
Spurs should have won this game, only to run into a formidable barrier of defiance in the shape of Burnley keeper Martin Dubravka.
Instead, they were left desperately chasing an equaliser that gave them the scant consolation of a point, although Spurs fans did not seem to be consoled by it.
Spurs now have only two wins in their past 14 Premier League games - but there is the good news that a win at Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday would put them straight through to the last 16 of the Champions League.
Burnley 2-2 Tottenham: What Frank saidpublished at 19:42 GMT 24 January
19:42 GMT 24 January
Media caption,
Tottenham boss Thomas Frank spoke to BBC Match of the Day after his side's draw at Burnley: "A very good first half, except for the last shot. It was a game we dominated and create chances, scoring a goal. Should have scored a second one. Then we are out of sight.
"We can never, ever, ever concede that goal just before half-time.
"Second half was a bit more back and forth, we were not on top of it as much. I don't think we dealt well enough with that spell.
"Then we concede another bad goal, we can never concede. We should never be that open.
"Then we had a strong end with strong character with a lot of offensive subs to get the equaliser. We had three or four very big chances and scored one of them.
"This is a game where we created a lot, do more than enough to win the game. We just didn't defend well enough in two situations.
"We created a lot of chances today, which has sometimes been the problem. Today we did that. Normally we have been quite strong defensively but we can never concede those two goals."
On Burnley goalkeeper Martin Dubravka's performance: "He had a fantastic game with some fantastic saves. Praise to him."
On if he can focus on the character to come back: " It's very important to focus on the start of the game. And the first half is really good. We came here, on top of it, creating chances, 1-0 and could have scored a second one.
"Then it's important to focus on how strong we ended with that character to keep fighting. But we have to improve the bit in the middle."
On pressure: "I know but you can't say we didn't do everything to win. We just need to keep improving. The only way it can be is calm heads, carry on and keep doing what we think is the right thing.
"You see the game today. We do more than enough to win the game, we just need to defend better in two situations. And, of course, score another goal that could make the difference at 1-0."
Did you know?
Tottenham have scored more headed goals (10) and had more goals scored via defenders (nine) than any other side in the Premier League this season.
Yves Bissouma starts for Tottenham, while Dominic Solanke retains his play in the first XI after scoring on his first start of the season against Borussia Dortmund in midweek.
Tottenham XI: Vicario, Danso, Xavi, Bissouma, Romero (c), Solanke, Gallagher, Porro, Spence, Odobert, van de Ven.
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Manchester City v Wolves" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Bournemouth v Liverpool", for instance.
'I needed to shine again'published at 11:04 GMT 24 January
11:04 GMT 24 January
Image source, Getty Images
Tottenham midfielder Joao Palhinha has been speaking to Kelly Somers for this week's The Football Interview.
"When I moved to Bayern, I didn't expect to to return as quick," he said.
"But when the opportunity of Tottenham came, I didn't think too much, you know, because this league is really special for me.
"I don't think you can compare the Premier League with any other league. You always miss the Premier League when you go. It has something really special. Everyone in the world watches the Premier League and the teams are probably the most competitive in the world.
"The call from the coach helped a lot for me to join the club, to show me his interest. When it's a coach from a top club, he's calling for you and trying to push you as much as he did, I think you should do it.
"It was an easy choice for me at that moment. The truth is I didn't want to leave Bayern because I was just one season there, and I wanted to prove my value and what I'm capable of. But at the same time, I think I needed to play. I needed to shine again.
"Our season is definitely not the easiest season or one we wished for. Not just the players, but also the supporters and the staff. We are only halfway through the season and there are many things to happen until the end.
"It is not the excuse, but I think the injuries had a big impact on the team. This is something definitely and clear for me. I think the results have been poor but at the same time, I think the team have been improving. We will get some [good results] definitely."
Tottenham boss Thomas Frank really needed Tuesday's win over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League but he is still under pressure, and this is not an easy game for Spurs either.
When Liverpool went 1-0 up against Burnley last week and were creating loads of chances, I thought I was on for an exact score - I'd gone for a 2-0 Reds win.
I couldn't believe it when Burnley equalised but that result sums them up, because they are still scrapping for survival at the bottom of the table, and fighting hard in every game.
It is unlikely they are going to stay up from here, but it is not impossible. They probably need another five or six wins from their last 16 games - and they have had only three so far from their first 22.
Their home games are going to be crucial to get them to safety, so this almost feels must-win for Scott Parker's side, even at this stage.
The Clarets have been competitive against everyone so far, including at Anfield last week, but I still don't see them getting the result they need.
This is going be a very tight game and it smells of a 1-1 to me, but we have already had 17 goalless draws in the Premier League this season, so I am going on trend and picking another one here.
That should guarantee we see a few goals now. I have got Spurs keeper Guglielmo Vicario in my fantasy team, so I am asking for trouble really.
Burnley v Tottenham Hotspur: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 18:59 GMT 23 January
18:59 GMT 23 January
Burnley look to end their 13-match league run without a victory against out-of-form Tottenham at Turf Moor.
Sitting a lofty fifth in the Champions League table, above the likes of Barcelona, Manchester City and last year's finalists Inter Milan and Paris St-Germain, is in stark contrast to Tottenham's lowly position of 14th in the Premier League.
The encouraging victory over Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday means Spurs have lost just one of their seven games in Europe this season.
How under-pressure boss Thomas Frank must wish he could transfer some of this continental form into the bread and butter of the Premier League, given his side have picked up a measly 10 top-flight points from a possible 39 dating back to October.
Four wins from their four Champions League home games is twice as many as they've accrued from their 11 league matches at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this season.
Their away form continues to prop up their campaign with a top-flight high of 67% of their points coming on the road (18 of 27), while only leaders Arsenal have won more away points (21) than Spurs.
While most teams would relish a fixture versus a side in the bottom three, Tottenham have actually lost four of their last eight against clubs in the relegation zone, including last Saturday's demoralising defeat at home to West Ham.
They let in a 90th-minute winner for the second consecutive fixture, having also done so in their previous match against Bournemouth. It will come as no surprise to Tottenham fans that they own the overall Premier League record for conceding the most such goals. It is the first time, though, that they have done so in successive games.
Burnley look to become latest club to end their winless run against Spurs
Against Spurs, Bournemouth ended their 11-game winless league run while West Ham's 10-match streak without a victory also came to a halt. Burnley go into Saturday's match having not won in 13 top-flight matches. The well-used phrase "Dr Tottenham will see you now" has never felt more apt.
The Clarets last tasted victory in the league on 26 October. It is their longest top-flight run without a victory since August to October 1970 and in any league since an 18-match streak between December 2006 and March 2007 in the Championship.
However, after losing seven in a row, they have battled back to draw four of their last six, including an impressive point at Liverpool last Saturday.
Marcus Edwards scored his first Premier League goal in that game as he continues a resurgence of his own. The one-time Tottenham prodigy is finding some much-needed form after a slow start to life in the top flight.
Another Spurs alumni, Burnley boss Scott Parker, will be desperate for his team to start turning one point into three against his former side, although recent history is against the Clarets.
They have lost six of their last seven league matches against the north Londoners, including the last four, while Tottenham's average of 2.2 goals-per-game in the Premier League against the Clarets (41 goals in 19 games) is their second highest against a side they have faced 10 or more times.
Putting a foot in!published at 13:21 GMT 23 January
13:21 GMT 23 January
Is there a more wholesome sight than one of your players flying into a tackle?
For all the creativity, smart finishing and wonder goals the Premier League can offer, few such joys would be possible were it not for those feisty fellows charging around to win the ball back for the cause.
This season, those in the graphic above top the charts for putting their foot in.
Tottenham's Joao Palhinha was seemingly born in a pair of shinpads and primed to launch in on someone, while Everton's James Garner continues to impress this season in various areas of his game - underlining why talk of an England call-up continues.
Keep an eye out for these men this weekend. Their opponents will almost certainly end up seeing more of them than they'd bargained for.
'I would eliminate the curse of the big team' - fans on Frank's commentspublished at 08:36 GMT 23 January
08:36 GMT 23 January
Image source, Getty Images
Thomas Frank said Tottenham are "cursed" after Lucas Bergvall joined the injury list. We asked if there is a curse on Tottenham and what ritual you might perform to lift it.
Here are some of your comments:
Dan: It's not a curse, but there's one thing that's not changed over the years: it's the medical/physio team. They all need firing immediately, because something is very wrong there.
Chris: They need to have a look at the medical team, then the pitches. Is the retractable pitch too hard underfoot? Are they pushing too hard in the gym, causing injuries? There has to be an internal issue that started two or three seasons ago.
Tristen: Players are overtraining. They need more recovery sessions between games. It's ludicrous the intense training they do and play twice a week. They can easily play two games a week, just less training, more tactical sessions and massages.
Tommy: They've already sacrificed Dan Levy, so I'm not sure what more we can do. I tell you what would be really supernatural for this club: if they went out and bought some decent players. That would certainly freak me out!
Anon: The curse is billionaires treating Spurs too much like a business and not enough like a football club.
John: I would eliminate the curse of the big team. We are not a big team, and apart from a few seasons under Poch, we have not been a big team for a long time.
Gossip: Vicario attracting interest from Interpublished at 07:58 GMT 23 January
07:58 GMT 23 January
Tottenham's Italian goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, 29, is interesting Inter Milan as they line up a replacement for Switzerland international Yann Sommer, 37. (Gazzetta - in Italian), external
Frank on team fitness, another board lunch and Van de Ven's futurepublished at 16:06 GMT 22 January
16:06 GMT 22 January
Tottenham boss Thomas Frank has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Burnley at Turf Moor (kick-off 15:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Lucas Bergvall's ankle injury is looking like a "longer one," but he will be assessed in the coming days. Frank said: "He keeps being very unlucky with injuries."
Dominic Solanke, Destiny Udogie and Xavi Simons all got through the midweek game against Borussia Dortmund and will be available for selection again.
Joao Palhinha is progressing "but it will be tight" as to whether he can feature on Saturday.
Frank said "this is definitely close" to being his worst season for injuries and it "seems like we are cursed" as players like Bergvall are set to miss further spells sidelined.
He said he "had lunch with Nick [Beucher] and Johan [Lange] again today" which is "again a good sign of the support there is".
More on his backing from Spurs' hierarchy: "Everyone is on the same page and there are a lot of things going in the right direction. We just need to back it up with even more good performance and more good results."
On defender Micky van de Ven, who has been linked with a move to Liverpool: "He seems happy. He's a fantastic player and a fantastic ambassador for this club. I would say he is very important player for us. Micky is a Tottenham player for us now and the future."
A season of injuries - how does your club rank?published at 08:33 GMT 22 January
08:33 GMT 22 January
Matthew Hobbs BBC Sport journalist
From the Premier League's elite to the soggy pitches of Sunday league, injuries are part and parcel of football - but which top-flight teams have been worst affected so far this season?
With help from injury expert Ben Dinnery, of premierinjuries.com,, external BBC Sport has examined which sides have been hit the hardest, the impact injuries can have on under-fire managers - and whether things are always as bad as they seem.
'Breweries, hotels and restaurants' - commercial revenue key in Deloitte studypublished at 08:32 GMT 22 January
08:32 GMT 22 January
Liverpool generated more revenue than any other English club during the 2024-25 season, according to the annual Deloitte Money League survey.
In the survey's 29th season, the Reds brought in more than 836m euros (£729.5m). The figure moved the Reds from eighth in 2023-24 to fifth overall, while Manchester City dropped from second to sixth.
Manchester United dropped from fourth to eighth with the club's broadcast revenue falling from €258m (£225m) to €206m (£180m) largely due to a lack of Champions League football.
Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea each occupy the exact same positions in the Money League as last season, while Aston Villa moved up four spots. Newcastle and West Ham remain in the top 20, despite both dropping in position.
Across the study, clubs cumulatively reported record revenues of €12.4bn, an increase of 11% on 2023-24.
A major feature of the study points to clubs generating most of their revenue commercially, with about 43% of income coming from this source. Broadcast revenue and matchday income continue to take up smaller pieces of the revenue pie.
Tim Bridge, lead partner in the Deloitte Sports Business Group, said: "This year's Money League showcases the evolving commercial landscape of elite football, with clubs continuing to take greater ownership of their revenue-generating capabilities. It is no coincidence that the clubs in the top half of the ranking are those with the ability to focus on commercial revenue development, particularly as domestic broadcast rights plateau.
"There is a pivotal shift in some club business models with an increased focus on maximising the impact of their brand and their stadium assets. The presence of on-site breweries, hotels and restaurants is now commonplace and illustrates a strategic move to diversify income and create year-round entertainment destinations. This innovative approach is broadening revenue streams significantly, allowing clubs to unlock opportunities far beyond the traditional matchday experience in a drive to secure more sustainable financial futures."
The Champions League fixture was his third involvement since returning from injury at Aston Villa on 10 January, after being sidelined with an ankle issue since last featuring on 23 August.
"It's been one of the hardest moments of my life. It has been quite complicated. It has been really tough," said Solanke, who eventually needed surgery to resolve the issue.
"It's been on my mind the whole time I've been injured. Obviously we're in together every day and I come to watch the games. It's difficult when you don't have the chance to help and make an impact.
"That's one of the hardest parts of being injured, but it's part of football at the end of the day and I hope to stay fit for the rest of the season."
Treatment during the September international break was expected to aid Solanke to an earlier return to action but failed to remedy the pain he was feeling, paving the way to surgery and lengthening his time out.
"It got to a point where I just didn't quite know when I was going to be back," he said.
"It's obviously nice to have that clarity when you're going to be back and I didn't have that, so that was probably the hardest part, but I'm happy to be back now.
"The World Cup is what everyone wants to be involved in. It's unfortunate that I missed the first half of the season, but I just want to get back firing for Tottenham now.
"Obviously, the World Cup is on my mind as well so I'll be pushing for that too."
Image source, Getty Images
