Frank’s Big Call on Tel Pays Off – But Spurs Let It Slip at the Death

Thomas Frank didn’t blink. He hooked Xavi Simons with a little over ten to play, sent on Mathys Tel to a chorus of boos, and five minutes later the young Frenchman had levelled it. That should’ve been the storyline. Instead, Spurs were sucker-punched at the last, Matthijs de Ligt rising in the 96th minute to nick a point for Manchester United and leave the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium groaning again.

Tel answers the boos

United had the advantage courtesy of a first-half strike from Bryan Mbeumo — yes, you read that right — and Frank rolled the dice on 79 minutes. The reaction from the stands was frosty as Simons made way, but Tel’s response was ice-cool: a sharp swivel in the box and a deflected finish past Senne Lammens to haul Spurs level.

Moments later, Tottenham thought they’d pinched it. Wilson Odobert let fly from range, Richarlison glanced the effort beyond Lammens, and the place erupted. But Spurs, so often their own worst enemy late on at home this season, failed to see it out. From a corner deep into stoppage time, De Ligt powered in the equaliser and the mood flipped on its head.

Frank’s verdict: changes are about winning

Post-match, Frank was unwavering. He made it clear that every substitution has a single purpose: to tilt the game Tottenham’s way. Tel, he argued, did exactly what was asked — injected energy, affected the contest, and found the net. Simons, for his part, had put in a decent shift, but fresh legs were required with United sitting on a narrow lead.

It’s hard to argue with the manager’s logic when the sub bags the leveller. The frustration, of course, is that the good work was undone by one lapse at the death.

Tel’s trajectory and Spurs’ home headache

Tel’s strike was his second in the Premier League this season, building on his winner against Leeds last month. It was also his fifth goal in Spurs colours since arriving from Bayern Munich in January last year, clocking up his 11th appearance of the 2025/26 campaign. He looks a live wire — raw, yes, but direct and decisive when it matters.

Zoom out and the bigger picture is trickier. Tottenham remain with just one league win at home in six this term — that opening-day 3-0 against Burnley — and they’ve failed to get over the line in five of those matches. There’s plenty to admire about the intensity and attacking intent, but game management at home is still a nagging flaw.

What’s next

Spurs don’t lack for punch; it’s the poise under pressure that’s costing them. Nail the details at set pieces, tidy up those late-game moments, and Frank’s side will start turning these breathless draws into proper statements.

For those weighing up form and momentum, the picture is finely balanced. Tottenham’s resilience is real, but late lapses continue to sting. If you’re sizing up the weekend’s markets, our guide to the best betting sites is a sensible pit stop — just remember this side can flip a match in a heartbeat, for better or worse.