The Premier League roared back to life on August 16, 2025, and Tottenham Hotspur fans had plenty to cheer about as the Thomas Frank era began with an emphatic 3-0 victory over Burnley. Under the lights at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Brazilian striker Richarlison stole the show with a dazzling double, while new signing Mohammed Kudus announced himself to the home crowd with two assists. It was a dream home debut for Frank, who only days earlier had watched his side narrowly miss out on UEFA Super Cup glory against Paris Saint-Germain.
Richarlison wasted no time in making his mark this season. Having struggled to find consistent form since his arrival at Spurs, the Brazilian silenced critics with a clinical half-volley into the bottom corner, latching onto a precise Kudus cross to open the scoring. The stadium buzzed with excitement, but Richarlison wasn’t finished. On the hour, he combined with Kudus again—this time, meeting the Ghanaian’s delivery with a spectacular acrobatic kick that left Burnley’s Martin Dubravka rooted to the spot. The goal not only doubled Tottenham’s lead but also showcased the kind of flair and hunger Frank has demanded from his forwards.
"Richarlison, oh wow, he was like [Erling] Haaland out there today!" exclaimed former Spurs midfielder Jamie O’Hara on talkSPORT’s GameDay Phone-In, clearly impressed by the Brazilian’s performance. O’Hara even went so far as to predict that Richarlison would outscore Arsenal’s new Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres this season. Gyokeres, who joined the Gunners for £63.7 million after netting 97 goals in 102 appearances for Sporting Lisbon, faces high expectations himself, but O’Hara is betting on the Spurs man. "I think Richarlison scores more goals than Gyokeres this season," he declared, prompting a surprised reaction from co-host Jason Cundy.
Mohammed Kudus, a £55 million signing from West Ham, was instrumental in both of Richarlison’s goals. The chemistry between the two was evident, drawing comparisons to the legendary partnership of Heung-min Son and Harry Kane. "Him and Kudus, if those two can have a relationship... I’m not putting them on levels of Son and Kane yet," said Cundy, "but, if that can develop and that relationship can grow, I think Spurs fans can be excited." The optimism around the club is palpable, a far cry from the struggles of the previous campaign.
Tottenham’s third goal came courtesy of Brennan Johnson, last season’s Europa League final hero, who raced clear to slot home and seal the victory. The comprehensive win was a statement of intent from Frank, who replaced Ange Postecoglou over the summer. Despite Postecoglou ending Spurs’ 17-year trophy drought with Europa League success, a dismal domestic season saw the club finish just above the relegation zone—a low not seen since 1976-77. Frank’s appointment was seen as a bold move, and this opening performance suggests the Dane may be the man to restore Spurs’ league fortunes.
Frank himself was quick to heap praise on his new charges after the final whistle. "The performance today I think was good, not perfect, but good," he said. "I loved the clean sheet, I loved the three goals, I loved the mentality of the players. I loved Richarlison’s performance, a lot of others I could mention, and Kudus of course, those two were probably the standouts. Especially Richarlison, his work ethic, his willingness to be there for the team, and two great finishes." The Danish manager’s delight was evident as he described the result as a "perfect start or dream start" and emphasized the importance of enjoying the moment for players, club, and fans alike.
Richarlison’s resurgence is one of the early storylines of this Premier League campaign. "He’s an international football player, he’s played for Brazil, so he’s no mug. But he has been poor in a Spurs shirt, and he’s not delivered. But the last couple of games, PSG [in the Super Cup], I thought he did well in a tough game, today I thought he was absolutely fantastic," said O’Hara. "He’s going to keep [Dominic] Solanke out the team for now, but he’s got to do it week in, week out, that’s the biggest thing, you’ve got to do it all the time. I think Richarlison is going to do business this year. What I’ve seen, he looks hungry, he looks fit, he looks like he’s got a point to prove."
The win over Burnley was notable for another Premier League first: Burnley’s Martin Dubravka conceded the first corner kick of the season under new rules after holding the ball for more than eight seconds. While it didn’t affect the outcome, it added an extra talking point to a match already brimming with storylines.
Elsewhere on the opening day, Manchester City signaled their intent to reclaim the title with a 4-0 demolition of Wolves, led by a hat-trick from Erling Haaland. Sunderland marked their return to the top flight after eight years with a resounding 3-0 win over West Ham, thanks to goals from Eliezer Mayenda, Daniel Ballard, and Wilson Isidor. Newcastle United, meanwhile, were held to a 0-0 draw by Aston Villa, missing the services of Alexander Isak amid ongoing transfer speculation linking him to Liverpool. Fulham snatched a 1-1 draw at Brighton with a dramatic 96th-minute equalizer from Rodrigo Muniz.
For Tottenham, the focus now shifts to building on this momentum. With Richarlison and Kudus forming a promising partnership, and Brennan Johnson continuing his fine form, Spurs fans have reason to believe that brighter days lie ahead. Frank’s tactical acumen and positive mentality have already begun to reshape the squad’s outlook, and if Saturday’s performance is any indication, the north London club could be in for an exciting ride this season.
As the new campaign unfolds, all eyes will be on Richarlison to see if he can maintain this blistering start and outshine his fellow strikers in the league. For now, Tottenham supporters can savor a rare feeling: optimism at the dawn of a new era, with their team sitting pretty after a statement win on opening day.
