Tottenham Hotspur kicked off their 2025/26 Premier League season by welcoming newly-promoted side Burnley. With all due respect to the Clarets, this game was supposed to be a cakewalk on paper for Thomas Frank’s side.
Spurs had shown some great signs during the pre-season friendlies before the new season. Although they suffered a crushing defeat to Bayern Munich, they bounced back with a great performance against PSG in the UEFA Super Cup.
Just days after the defeat to the Ligue 1 giants in the Continental Cup, Frank named a very interesting starting XI against Burnley for the Premier League season opener.
The surprise that was in store was his decision to go with a partnership of Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall in holding midfield ahead of the likes of Rodrigo Bentancur and Joao Palhinha. Apart from that, he named a starting XI along expected lines.
Spurs dominated proceedings in the first half in terms of possession and also made it count with Richarlison giving Spurs a 1-0 lead. However, Burnley had their chances in the first half and Frank would be disappointed that his team failed to double their lead.
The North London club put Burnley to the sword in the second half, though, scoring more goals to make this a fairly comfortable result for them.
With the new season underway, we at TTLB are back with player ratings and here is how we think Tottenham players fared in their impressive win against Burnley.
Guglielmo Vicario (GK): 7
Had one awkward moment in the first half when he misjudged the trajectory of a looped ball towards goal. Solid otherwise, with great distribution to go with it. Nothing spectacular in the second 45, which is often a good reflection on the defense.
Pedro Porro (RB): 7.5
Porro almost cost Spurs a penalty with a clumsy challenge minutes from the half-time whistle. Much improved and adventurous in the second half and was unlucky not to get a goal contribution.
Cristian Romero [C] (CB): 7
Had one moment where he lost Foster in a foot race, but was largely solid first 45 otherwise. His line-breaking passes always did not come off. Not his best game but largely undisturbed.
Micky van de Ven (CB): 8
Showed great recovery pace at a crucial moment in the first half when Foster got through on goal. Made excellent recovery challenges and did not put a foot wrong throughout the game. Almost went on a trademark line-breaking run.
Djed Spence (LB): 7
Solid first 45 from the Englishman but nothing spectacular. More of the same in the 2nd half with Spence looking solid both in attack and defence. Almost got himself a goal in the 2nd half.
Archie Gray (CDM): 7
Almost always operated as a single pivot and kept things simple. Good first 45. Taken off around the hour mark after a solid display.
Lucas Bergvall (CM): 8
Playing in an advanced role, he almost scored within one minute of the game. He ran the show in midfield in the first half, with a Frenkie de Jong-esque display. Got a rousing ovation when he was taken off after an excellent game.
Pape Matar Sarr (CM): 7.5
A typical Sarr performance. A lot of industry, lots of running in the first 45. Excellent assist to Johnson for the third goal. Kept alternating between the #10 and #6 role, to good effect.
Brennan Johnson (LW): 6.5
Effectively absent in the first 45, the Welshman was arguably Spurs’ poorest player of the half. He had his moment of redemption in the 2nd half though, putting his foot through for a clinical finish for their third goal on the night. Didn’t do much else on the night before being taken off.
Mohammed Kudus (RW): 8.5
Lively in the opening minutes, he did very well to provide a pinpoint cross to Richarlison for the first goal. Kept at it throughout the first half with his work rate. Excellent skill and pinpoint cross to give Richy his 2nd assist of the game. Full of flair and tricks, but also, end product. Taken off for Mathys Tel.
Richarlison (ST): 9
He got the nod ahead of Solanke in the #9 role, and boy, didn’t he make it count. It was an excellent hooked finish from the Brazilian. Good centre-forward play by Richy in the first half. He may have missed an easy chance early in the 2nd half but more than made up for it with an acrobatic finish to give Spurs a 2-0 lead. Excellent hold-up play in the build-up to third goal.
Substitutes
Dominic Solanke: 6
Came on for Richarlison and almost got a goal himself, minutes later.
Rodrigo Bentancur: 6
Came on for Archie Gray. Kept things simple.
Wilson Odebert: N/A
Brought on for Johnson.
Joao Palhinha: N/A
Made his Spurs PL debut, coming on for the impressive Bergvall.
Mathys Tel: N/A
Came on for the dying embers of the game.
