There was a palpable sense of frustration in the air at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on November 2, 2025, as the final whistle blew on a 1-0 home defeat to Chelsea. The boos from the stands echoed the disappointment of fans who had watched their team muster just a single shot on target and record their lowest-ever expected goals figure (0.05xG) in a Premier League match. This latest setback continued a troubling trend for Spurs under head coach Thomas Frank, whose tenure has been marked by impressive away performances but a string of lackluster home results.
As is customary, Frank made his way onto the pitch after the match, intent on showing appreciation for the loyal supporters. But what should have been a moment of unity quickly turned awkward. In a scene now widely circulated on social media, defenders Micky van de Ven and Djed Spence opted to head straight for the tunnel, ignoring both their manager and the waiting crowd. Frank, visibly annoyed, glared after the departing duo, while set-piece coach Andreas Georgson attempted—unsuccessfully—to stop them near the dugout. The incident left fans and pundits alike questioning the mood within the Spurs camp.
Yet when pressed by reporters in the post-match press conference, Frank refused to escalate the situation. "All the players are, of course, frustrated. They would like to do well, they would like to win, they would like to perform. I understand that," Frank explained. "I think it’s difficult to be consistent in good times and bad times, that’s why I went around to the fans as I did, it’s more fun when we win, I can tell you that." He went on to describe the players’ conduct as "one of the small issues we have," adding, "Micky van de Ven and Djed Spence are doing everything they can. They’ve performed very well so far this season. Everyone is frustrated. We do things in a different way, I don’t think it’s a big problem."
It’s not hard to see why emotions are running high. Van de Ven, recently promoted to Frank’s leadership group and serving as vice-captain in Cristian Romero’s absence, has been a standout performer. Just last week, he netted his first career brace—both headers—in a 3-0 away win over Everton, underlining his growing influence on the team. Spence, too, has enjoyed a breakthrough season, becoming a mainstay in the back line and earning his first England cap in a 5-0 victory over Serbia on September 9. Both players have become integral to Frank’s plans since his appointment in the summer, making their actions after the Chelsea loss all the more surprising to onlookers.
The tension on the pitch was mirrored in the stands, where supporters made their displeasure known with a chorus of boos at full-time. Tottenham’s home form under Frank has been a source of mounting concern: the solitary league win at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium came against Burnley on the opening weekend. Subsequent fixtures have brought defeats to Bournemouth, Aston Villa, and now Chelsea, along with a frustrating draw against Wolves on September 27. The lack of attacking threat, epitomized by the meager xG recorded against Chelsea, has only added to the sense of unease.
One man who was brought in to spark the attack is Xavi Simons. The Dutch midfielder arrived from RB Leipzig over the summer with high expectations, yet has struggled to make the desired impact. Simons has managed just one assist in seven league appearances so far in the 2025-26 campaign. His afternoon against Chelsea was emblematic of his difficulties: introduced as a concussion substitute for Lucas Bergvall in the seventh minute, Simons was later withdrawn after 73 minutes, making him one of the rare players to be double-substituted in a single match.
Frank, however, was quick to downplay any concerns about Simons’ confidence or form. "No, it’s part of the reason we didn’t start him because he’s played two starts in a short turnaround. It’s that energy and freshness I talked about. He played 90 minutes on Wednesday night [against Newcastle], so that’s why we decided that [to bench him]. He played 70 minutes here. So I think it was nothing, it’s just it looks different that he comes on after a few minutes then gets subbed off," Frank told GOAL. When asked if Simons’ lack of chances was a source of frustration, Frank responded, "I think when players make mistakes on the pitch, if they lose a ball or miss a pass, of course I can get irritated in general in a specific situation. But that's part of football. How many times have you seen a player miss a pass or do something that happens, that can be flow or confidence or everything. Whatever it is, mistakes are part of football."
The Simons substitution was not the only notable change forced upon Frank during the match. Lucas Bergvall, the young Swedish midfielder, was struck in the back of the head by a pass from Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez and required a concussion check. Although Bergvall initially resisted coming off, Frank insisted on following protocol and removed him from the action. "That was a concussion," Frank confirmed. "So he totally couldn’t stay on and I think the team did a good job in that aspect. And even if he wanted to stay on, it’s the right decision that he stays off." Bergvall was later seen applauding the fans from the dugout, sporting a tracksuit.
For all the drama and disappointment, Tottenham’s season is far from over. The club remains fourth in the Premier League, and there are reasons for optimism. Frank’s men are unbeaten in the Champions League so far, with a win over Villarreal and draws against Bodo/Glimt and Monaco. That European resilience will be put to the test again on Tuesday, November 4, when FC Copenhagen visits north London. The quick turnaround means there’s little time for the squad to dwell on the Chelsea defeat.
Looking ahead, the fixture list doesn’t get any easier. After the Champions League clash, Spurs will face a resurgent Manchester United in the league on Saturday, November 8. With their home form under the microscope and questions swirling about squad unity, these next matches could well define the mood around Tottenham Hotspur as the season heads toward the busy winter period.
So, while the tension was there for all to see at the final whistle against Chelsea, Thomas Frank remains determined to keep things in perspective. The coach’s refusal to publicly criticize his players, his pragmatic handling of injuries and substitutions, and his focus on the challenges ahead all suggest that Spurs will be looking to regroup quickly. With crucial fixtures on the horizon, the time for reflection is short, and the need for a response on the pitch has never been greater.
