Alex MacQuoid
Son Heung-min’s Emotional Return
Son Heung-min, the South Korean legend who scored 173 goals in 454 games for Tottenham Hotspur, made his first return to the club since leaving for Los Angeles FC in the summer. The occasion was marked by a big European night, fitting for a player who played a key role in Spurs’ journey to the Champions League Final in 2019 and captained the team to their first trophy in 17 years by winning the Europa League Final against Manchester United in Bilbao last season.
An emotional Son addressed the Spurs fans before kick-off, receiving a rapturous reception. He then watched as Thomas Frank’s team took another important step forward with a comfortable 3-0 Champions League win against Slavia Prague.
A Vital Week for Frank
This has been a crucial week for Frank, whose short spell at Spurs hit a low after the recent defeat at home to Fulham. Frank publicly criticized those who jeered keeper Guglielmo Vicario, calling them “not true Tottenham fans.” This high-risk strategy needed results to back up such confrontational talk, and in the last three games, Spurs have delivered.
Spurs came from behind twice to earn a point at Newcastle United, cruised past Frank’s former club Brentford, and added this convincing win against Slavia Prague to their mini-revival. Before the victory against Brentford, Spurs had played 16 league games at home in 2025, winning only three and losing 10. This is the tide Frank has to turn.
A Convincing Win
This was not a perfect performance, with too many opportunities given to a mediocre Slavia side, but Spurs were always in control. They have now moved to the edge of the top eight place in the Champions League table that guarantees automatic entry into the knockout phase.
The win was also the perfect response to the 5-3 loss away to holders Paris St-Germain in their last game, in which Spurs actually played well for an hour before being overpowered by sheer quality. The heavy defeat was something of an outlier in this campaign, with Spurs securing four clean sheets from their six games so far, conceding seven overall.
Key Performances
If Frank is looking for signs of progress, he will detect them in the improved performances of Xavi Simons in his last two games. Simons made one goal and scored another against Brentford, followed by another significant contribution against Slavia. He was joined by Mohammed Kudus in providing real threat and even competition between themselves when Spurs were awarded two second-half penalties.
Spurs were given huge assistance with their opening goal after 26 minutes, Slavia defender David Sima directing a header past his own keeper Jindrich Stanek with some aplomb after Cristian Romero had flicked on Pedro Porro’s corner. Spurs’ win was sealed with those two second-half spot-kicks, Simons very keen on taking the first before Kudus assumed responsibility successfully, but then getting his chance later when he was brought down by Igoh Ogbu.
“I think he built on a good game on Saturday, produced again. Good link-up play, nice turns in the middle of the pitch and has acceleration to go past a player. I like his work ethic and there was great recovery run on 90 minutes which is crucial for us.”
Kudus also drew praise as Frank added: “Mo did well at the start of the season then had a dip. Now, in the past three or four weeks, he’s got fresh energy, acceleration and decisiveness in his actions. Getting more in sync with the team too – all that is important.”
Strengthening Bonds
As with the win against Brentford, Frank will regard this as a vital step forward, not just in pushing Spurs further in the Champions League, but in strengthening his own standing among a fanbase with which he is yet to establish a firm connection. Victories strengthen bonds and convince doubters, but Frank will know he needs more.
Son’s trademark smile looked like it might have to be surgically removed at the final whistle. And on this occasion, it was shared by Spurs fans who have occasionally delivered a snarl here this season. It was the perfectly scripted return for a Spurs legend.