Image source, Getty ImagesRicharlison has scored 13 goals in his last 16 Premier League starts for Tottenham, including nine goals in his last nine starts at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Michael Emons
BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty ImagesTottenham had performed well on Wednesday in Thomas Frank's first competitive game in charge as they gave Champions League holders Paris St-Germain a fright in the Uefa Super Cup in Udine, Italy.
Spurs had led 2-0 after 84 minutes only to concede twice late on, including a 94th-minute equaliser, before losing 4-3 on penalties.
But they bounced back from that disappointment against Burnley on Saturday as Lucas Bergvall, impressing in an attacking midfield role, nearly scored within the opening 30 seconds only to be denied by away goalkeeper Martin Dubravka.
The Spurs fans helped create a fantastic atmosphere as they chanted how they were "champions of Europe, we know what we are".
The positivity continued when Ghana forward Mohammed Kudus, who has looked an excellent addition, did superbly to cross from the right wing with Richarlison doing the rest with a composed finish.
The Brazilian, who only scored five goals in all competitions for Tottenham in 2024-25, started in the number nine role against PSG and was used in the same position against the Clarets - with Kudus wide right and Brennan Johnson wide left - while Dominic Solanke was among the substitutes.
With attacking midfielder James Maddison out for the majority of the season after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in pre-season and forward Dejan Kulusevski also recovering from a serious knee injury, Richarlison will be vital for Spurs' hopes this season.
It is only the first weekend of the season, but you will struggle to see a better goal throughout the campaign than Richarlison's scissor kick - on a perfect day and a perfect start to the job for Frank.
Tottenham were clearly the better team and, after finishing 17th last season, with fan demonstrations a regular occurrence, this was a great way for Frank and Tottenham to start their league campaign.
Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.
Have your say on Tottenham's performance
What did you make of Burnley's display?
Come back to this page on Sunday to find a selection of your replies
Mohammed Kudus makes his first Premier League appearance for Tottenham from the start. Fellow new boys Joao Palhinha and Luka Vuskovic are on the bench. Richarlison gets the nod instead of Dominic Solanke up front.
Tottenham XI: Vicario, Porro, Romero, van de Ven, Spence, Gray, Bergvall, Kudus, Sarr, Johnson, Richarlison.
Subs: Kinsky, Danso, Joao Palhinha, Tel, Vuskovic, Solanke, Odobert, Bentancur, Davies.
Three debuts for Burnley today - goalkeeper Martin Dubravka and defenders Kyle Walker and Quilindschy Hartman.
Burnley XI: Dubravka, Sonne, Walker, Ekdal, Esteve, Hartman, Mejbri, Cullen, Laurent, Anthony, Foster.
Subs: Weiss, Worrall, Bruun Larsen, Ugochukwu, Edwards, Tchaouna, Flemming, Ramsey, Lucas Pires.
Five matches make up Saturday's Premier League action and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.
Aston Villa v Newcastle (12:30)
Brighton v Fulham
Sunderland v West Ham - BBC Radio 5 Live
Tottenham v Burnley - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
Wolves v Manchester City (17:30) - BBC Radio 5 Live
All kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy says he is not expecting Thomas Frank to win the Premier League in his first season, which is nice of him, but I wonder exactly when he is expecting it to happen then?
I'm a fan of Frank, who is so versatile with his formations and, despite whoever else Spurs sign this summer, they already have some very good players.
They will be pushing for fifth place, but I'm afraid I don't see anything but a relegation struggle for Burnley.
I have a lot of respect for Clarets boss Scott Parker and what he achieved winning promotion last season. Their record of 30 clean sheets in 46 league games was just phenomenal.
They are in with the big boys again now though and, while it is one thing keeping the likes of Plymouth and Oxford out, doing the same at this level is a completely different proposition.
This is a gimme for Spurs - the perfect fixture for them to get over the way they lost the Super Cup in midweek and for Frank to get off the mark.
Sutton's prediction: 3-0
Jordan Butler
BBC Sport journalist
Spurs are required to put Wednesday's Super Cup disappointment behind them as they start their Premier League campaign against Scott Parker's Burnley.
BBC Sport looks at some key themes ahead of this intriguing clash.
It appears that trophies aren't quite like London buses for Tottenham Hotspur.
The club ended a 17-year wait for silverware by clinching the Europa League in May and 85 days later they almost secured another title. But Thomas Frank's new-look Spurs let the Uefa Super Cup slip from their grasp after surrendering a two-goal lead to a Paris Saint-Germain before an eventual defeat on penalties.
Frank was quite rightly "very, very proud" of his side.
"I think the players gave everything against one of the best teams in the world, maybe the best," said Frank. "I think for 75 to 80 minutes we were perfect."
Attention now turns to Saturday's Premier League opener and fast start feels necessary.
Spurs ended last season in 17th with 22 defeats and 38 points – their lowest finish since 1977. They also took just three points from a possible nine against newly promoted sides at home, with victory over a desperately poor Southampton following defeats to Ipswich and Leicester.
Only the three relegated teams conceded a higher tally of expected goals against than Spurs last season, while the Lilywhites also ranked fourth overall for errors leading to shots with 41.
Traditionally, 40 points was thought to be enough for Premier League survival. But in the last 10 years, the average points collected by the team in 18th – which is a total that would need to be bettered in order to stay up – is exactly 32.
New boys Burnley collected 24 points during their last top-flight foray under Vincent Kompany in 2023-24, a campaign which ended in relegation. They also shipped 78 goals, but promise to be far more pragmatic this time around under former Spurs midfielder Scott Parker.
Unlike Spurs last season, Parker's side were a well-oiled defensive machine and conceded only 16 times in 46 Championship games as they stormed to 100 points and automatic promotion. However, the sale of star goalkeeper James Trafford to Manchester City feels a significant loss.
Trafford kept a Championship-record 12 consecutive shut outs between December and February and he has been replaced by former Newcastle stopper Martin Dubravka, who is 14 years his senior.
The experienced Slovakian is reportedly nursing a shoulder injury but whoever wears the gloves for Burnley this weekend is likely to be busy.
Image source, Getty ImagesWe have looked into the age profile of Tottenham's players for the 2025-26 season and recorded what percentage of minutes each of them played last campaign.
For the purpose of this exercise, we have deemed those under 24 as youth, between 24 and 30 as in their peak years and anyone over 30 to be a veteran.
The green represents new signings, who naturally did not play, red are those that have since left the club and yellow are all those that remain.
Spurs have lost elder statesmen, notably in Son Heung-min and added a younger touch. The vast number of players who didn't make 50% of the club's minutes last season points to the poor injury record the club suffered. Thomas Frank will hope far more of his names can contribute more minutes and that alone should dramatically help their league cause.
Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist
Tottenham boss Thomas Frank has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League opening game at home against newly promoted Burnley (kick-off 15:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Left-back Destiny Udogie is "progressing" in his recovery but is not yet available.
Midfielder Yves Bissouma will return to the squad after being left out of the Super Cup squad for persistent lateness. He added: "I have certain standards and demands and consequences if demands are not met."
He said the racist abuse Mathys Tel was subjected to after the Super Cup final "is terrible" and "no real Tottenham supporter" would do that.
More on Tel: "We're doing everything to support him in this situation. He's a strong person. We'll see the real Tottenham supporters at the stadium tomorrow backing him. In tough times we step up together. I expect really big cheers for him tomorrow."
Frank has been impressed by his players "very strong mentality" and their "ability to take on messages and gameplans" since taking over the role in June.
On whether he will have butterflies for the first home game in charge: "I will have tomorrow. If I'm honest, now I'm in work mode. I know when I wake up tomorrow and when I step into the stadium I will feel it."
Frank thought Richarlison was "really phenomenal" against Paris St-Germain because his "hold-up play, his intensity and his arriving in the box was top".
He said his players "have recovered well" from Wednesday's game but he can "freshen up" the squad if he chooses to.
The recruitment team "are working" to bring in more players before the transfer window closes and "will do something" if "they fit" into Frank's plans.
On the young players - like Mikey Moore, who has gone on loan to Rangers - and where they stand this season: "There is a fine balance. To train with professional, higher-level players and their intensity is very good, but the most important thing for any player is playing minutes. If I think it's the right time to get them out then I will."
Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news
Listen to live commentary of Tottenham v Burnley on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra from 15:00 on Saturday
Tottenham are confident they have put together a deal for Eberechi Eze, 27, that will satisfy Crystal Palace, who value their England midfielder at £68m. (Teamtalk), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column
Image source, Getty ImagesKick it Out say they stand with Tottenham forward Mathys Tel after he received racial abuse following the defeat by Paris St-Germain in the Uefa Super Cup.
Tel came on as a substitute in the 79th minute and was one of two Spurs players who failed to convert from the spot in the penalty shootout.
"If you're a black player, it would be totally understandable to think, 'Why would I want to take a penalty?' That's the state of the game right now, and the sad fact is, it's nothing new," anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out said.
Kick it Out said accountability from both the offenders and social media companies is "not being met".
"Football bodies, authorities, and the regulator Ofcom, must come together to accelerate a plan that better protects players," the charity added.
"Their welfare should always be paramount, and we stand with Mathys Tel and all those who have suffered this continuing, racist abuse."
Tottenham said in a statement: "Mathys showed bravery and courage to step forward and take a penalty, yet those who abuse him are nothing but cowards - hiding behind anonymous usernames and profiles to spout their abhorrent views."
Spurs' statement comes after England defender Jess Carter revealed she had been the target of racist abuse during Euro 2025 last month.
Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka were subjected to racist abuse in July 2021 in the aftermath of the Euro 2020 final, after all three missed penalties as England lost to Italy.
BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty has offered up his annual predictions:
8) Tottenham Hotspur
Last season: 17th
A seismic summer at Spurs as Ange Postecoglou was sacked after winning the Europa League - their first trophy in 17 years - and replaced by Brentford's Thomas Frank.
It also featured the departure of one of the club's modern-day greats as Son Heung-Min joined Los Angeles FC - so there is very much a sense of (another) fresh start at Spurs.
Frank is a big, charismatic personality who will relish the task after doing a magnificent job at Brentford, though there will also be greater scrutiny on his work, and not just from hard-to-please chairman Daniel Levy.
Still, expect this to be a season of improvement in the Premier League. It could not get worse than last season - or Spurs would find themselves in the Championship - and they should again be contenders for a cup.
The collapsed move for Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White was a setback, while the long-term injury to James Maddison hits hard, but Joao Palhinha - signed on loan from Bayern Munich - proved his Premier League quality at Fulham and Mohammed Kudus could provide a new 'X-factor' in attack.
Spurs will not stop there, either, with Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze in their sights, along with Manchester City winger Savinho.
Image source, Getty ImagesWe asked for your views on Tottenham's Super Cup defeat to Paris St-Germain on penalties, after a 2-2 draw on Wednesday.
Here are some of your comments:
Mark: Just when you thought the Spursy tag was behind us. Tactically ,Thomas Frank got this spot on, but seeing out games is something we must improve. There are lots of positives though. It may not be pretty all the time but I prefer it to the kamikaze style of the last two seasons. If we can just get a couple of more new faces through the door, there is reason to be optimistic for the season ahead.
Ben: Nothing to worry about - it's a glorified friendly. We ran out of legs against the best team in Europe. But still a huge improvement on last season. Onward!
John: I have waited a long time to see a Spurs team show this type of gutsy defensive performance with control for the most part. We drew the match against probably the best collection of skilled players on the planet. Exhausted after a pre-season of travel, we certainly have nothing to fear from the season ahead. Our fans will have to realise that we will not be playing classy football all the time, but give me a squad of professional players fighting for the cause anytime.
Neil: Encouraged by the solid performance, team balance and Frank's engagement throughout. The performance was more important than the result. Shows promise for the season. If only the game was 10 minutes shorter!
Jim: The difference between the squads was the subtitutes. Spurs brought on Dominic Solanke, who was injured in pre-season to get some minutes, and two youngsters in Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall. PSG brought on two goalscorers. More investment needed at Spurs. Being better for 75-80 minutes doesn't win matches.
Daniel: I guess we'll always be 'Spursy'.
Image source, Getty ImagesTottenham "will feel a lot of positives" around how they performed against Paris St-Germain despite it ending in penalty heartbreak, says former Spurs winger Aaron Lennon.
"Their whole structure looked better," he told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. "There was so much discipline and you need that in the Premier League.
"There were too many times last season where the team were too open and they got exposed, but under Thomas Frank I think we are going to see a much more organised Tottenham side.
"Once the dust has settled from the defeat, they will feel a lot of positives."
Ex-goalkeeper Paul Robinson added: "They were able to adapt and change throughout the game, but just couldn't hold on.
"You can see that Frank is tactically aware of how to try to beat a team who are inferior because the structure and set-plays were there against PSG.
"You could see the players had an understanding and there was an enjoyment around being without the ball. They were quite comfortable to retreat into a defensive shape but then knew what the trigger was to break out of that and press again.
"That is something we've not seen before from Spurs."
Listen to the Football Daily podcast on BBC Sounds
Image source, Daily Star and Daily MailThe Super Cup was on its way to north London with just over five minutes left on the clock against European champions Paris St-Germain.
But the Parisians were not done yet, and a stirring comeback resulted in a shootout defeat for Thomas Frank's Tottenham.
Many newspaper back pages have cited it as 'Spursy' for squandering a two-goal lead, while Micky van de Ven also features after scoring in the game and then missing from the spot.
As disappointing - or frustrating - as it may be, focus now shifts to opponents Burnley as the Premier League returns this weekend.
Spurs squander two goal lead as PSG win Super Cup - UK only
Image source, Getty ImagesFormer Tottenham and England teammates Paul Robinson and Aaron Lennon were on punditry duty for BBC Radio 5 Live at Stadio Friuli to watch Spurs give away to a 2-2 lead and eventually lose on penalties against Paris St-Germain.
"Devastation," said Robinson." Absolute devastation and shock all around us for those in white shirts up in the stands who are quickly making their way to the exits.
"Five minutes away from winning their second major trophy in 17 years. They did everything right until they conceded the first goal that made it 2-1 and then they crumbled.
"I think this will be damaging for Tottenham, I really do. They were 2-0 up with five minutes to go. They are absolutely devastated.
"They got the trophy that they had been longing for last season and this could have been a real step forward for Tottenham. Instead it's a real blow.
"In the next 24-48 hours, Thomas Frank has to go back to the training ground, unpack it, show the players video of everything they did well and put the belief back into them.
"At the moment they are so low that they could crawl under a snake's belly with a top hat on. Frank needs to pick them up and get them back to what they did for 75-80 minutes in this game.
"PSG weren't their usual selves. They have been clunky at times, clumsy at times. Tottenham have been the better team but you never rule out a team of this quality."
Lennon added: "You can see that the Tottenham players are hurting. As a player you know games which you should win and this was one of them.
"Five minutes to go, 2-0 up, see it out. Even when it goes to 2-1, you've got to know how to see a game out.
"Spurs didn't handle that well enough."
