PREMIER LEAGUE
SATURDAY 16TH AUGUST, 2025
3PM
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 3(1) BURNLEY 0(0)
Spurs scorers:-
Richarlison 10, 60
Johnson, 66
Attendance:- 61,077
Referee:- Michael Oliver
Assistants:- Stuart Burt & James Mainwaring
Fourth Official:- Adam Herczeg
VAR:- Neil Davies
VAR Assistant:- John Brooks
Teams:-
Spurs (4-3-3):- 1. Vicario; 23. Pedro Porro, 17. Romero (Capt.), 37. Van de Ven, 24. Spence; 29. Sarr, 14. Gray (sub 30. Bentancur, 71), 15. Bergvall (sub 6. Palhinha, 80); 20. Kudus (sub 11. Tel, 85), 9. Richarlison (sub Solanke, 71), 22. Johnson (sub 28. Odobert, 80)
Subs not used:- 31. Kinsky; 4. Danso, 16. Vuskovic, 33. Davies
No bookings
Burnley (5-4-1):- 1. Dubravka; 22. Sonne (sub 17. L. Tchaouna, 74), 2. Walker, 18. Ekdal, 5. Esteve, 3. Hartman; 28. Mejbri (sub 7. Bruun Larsen, 63), 29. Laurent (sub 8. Ugochukwu, 63), 24. Cullen (Capt.), 11. Anthony (sub 10. Edwards, 85); 9. Foster (sub 19. Flemming, 74)
Subs not used:- 13. Weiss; 4. Worrall, 23. Lucas Pires; 21. Ramsey
No bookings
Two-goal Richarlison gets Spurs off to a good start.
Spurs v Burnley, 16.08.25
Spurs striker Richarlison scored his third Tottenham brace and a first since December 2023 to get Spurs off to a winning start in the Premier League. Mohammed Kudus also shone in his Spurs league debut with the assists for both goals. Each goal was of high quality, but the second, scored in front of the massive white wall of the South Stand was startling and potentially goal of the season already!
Scott Parker's Burnley, renowned for their defensive qualities last season, lined up in a 5-4-1 formation, with Kyle Walker as one of their centre-backs. Last season's top scorers Josh Brownhill and Zian Flemming were not included. Brownhill's contract ended in the summer, and he is a free agent. Flemming did replace Lyle Foster in the second half. Four of Parker's summer signings started this game.
The game was preceded by immaculate silence for Diogo Jota (and his brother), remembered this weekend throughout the Premier League, and especially at Anfield on Friday night. Wolves also had special memories of their former player.
The 61,000 crowd, mostly dressed in white shirts joined in with the trumpet call of "Oh when the Spurs" before Spurs kicked off towards the North Stand.
Spurs v Burnley, 16.08.25
Thanks to Cassim Patel for this image
Thomas Frank had been given a rousing reception for his first home game. He made three changes to the team and switched to a 4-3-3 formation. Brennan Johnson played on the left side, where he is not so effective, in my opinion, but he did score our third goal, which was his 17th Premier League goal for the club.
Burnley actually had more shots on goal in the first half, but it is of course goals that count, and we kept a clean sheet. There were occasions when good defence was required, and Micky van de Ven gave plenty of examples of that. There was another moment when Djed Spence showed great skill in reading and winning the ball before setting off in attack. Pedro Porro and Kudus attacked well down the right side. Bergvall sprayed passes across the midfield.
Inside 26 seconds Bergvall had a shot saved, before Pedro Porro's cross led to a threat leading to another Bergvall shot being blocked. After a Bergvall cross, Dubravka was penalised by referee Michael Oliver under the new holding rule, where the referee holds his arm up to warn the keeper that time is running out, before blowing the whistle. That led to another Spurs corner. Dubravka didn't err again. Vicario never had such worries.
Kyle Walker was Burnley's long throw option, and Bergvall performed the role on two or three occasions for Spurs. Spurs are certainly playing more direct football under Frank.
Spurs took the lead in the tenth minute. Spurs had been threatening down the right flank before a defensive lapse let in Kudus who reached the bye-line before delivering a cross which Richarlison swept home inside Dubravka's left post. "Richie" soon headed over from a Pedro Porro cross.
Sonne had a shot after a Burnley corner, but it was well over the target. Another Spurs attack followed Richarlison's ball to Pedro Porro and a cross by Kudus, but Bergvall was adjudged to have fouled in the box when receiving. At the other end, Vicario comfortably held a shot by Laurent.
A mistake by Romero led to Foster having a run at goal, but his shot was deflected out for a corner. Esteve's header was held by Vicario. Sarr failed to make the most of an opportunity after a poor clearance by Dubravka.
There was a good midfield combination between Bergvall and Richarlison before Kudus tried to tee up Spence, who fired over.
Burnley kicked off the second half, but Spurs were soon piling on the pressure down the right. Kudus took a corner which was headed over by Van de Ven. Richarlison had two more chances following Johnson's pass. One was blocked; the other was saved.
Van de Ven's pace and tackling strength came to the rescue when Burnley threatened on the break. Vicario also held a shot by Jaidon Anthony - once of Bournemouth.
Spurs doubled their lead with a stupendous goal. Kudus crossed from deep on the right and with the ball a little behind his body shape, Richarlison hit a wonderful right-footed scissor kick shot which was simply unstoppable. The stadium rose in adulation!
Two - nil became three six minutes later after good midfield play, I'm sure Kudus had been involved, but it was Sarr who made a good pass into space for Johnson to advance and beat Dubravka with a low finish.
The result was sealed, and Vicario was happy to slow the game down, with little threat being offered by Burnley attackers. Richarlison was given great applause when substituted, replaced by Solanke. Solanke had an early chance after Pedro Porro's pass, but his left-footed shot passed wide.
Spence had a good shot on goal from a tight angle on the left which was saved at the expense of a corner. After a short corner, Pedro Porro delivered to Sarr, who fired wide.
Mathys Tel was a late substitution for Kudus, who also received strong applause. Tel was welcomed warmly, following the racist abuse he received via social media after his penalty miss in Wednesday night's super cup game.
Our next game is away to Manchester City next Saturday lunchtime when I suspect Frank will deploy Wednesday night's strategy. City won 4-0 at Molineux last night, so a tough game is in prospect. Savinho was not involved in that game, and apparently Eze is not in Palace's squad today, so those rumoured signings might be happening!
. Squad numbers,appearances,bookings & goalscorers
. Read the preview for this game.