Dominic Solanke was on target as Tottenham beat 10-man Borussia Dortmund 2-0 to ease the pressure on boss Thomas Frank.
Tottenham Hotspur delivered a much-needed response in the Champions League, producing a dominant first-half performance to beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0 and ease the growing pressure on head coach Thomas Frank.
The result inflicts a ninth defeat in Dortmund’s last 11 trips to England and keeps Tottenham perfect at home in Europe this season.
With Frank under pressure, the hosts started with real intent and almost struck early through dangerous deliveries from Porro, only for Svensson and Schlotterbeck to intervene. Tottenham’s early urgency set the tone, and it felt only a matter of time before they made the breakthrough.
The breakthrough came in the 14th minute when Odobert made amends for a scuffed effort by firing a low ball across the box for Romero, who finished first time with authority to put Tottenham ahead.
Tottenham were handed a huge boost midway through the half when Svensson was shown a red card for a reckless lunge on Odobert. From that moment, the game tilted firmly in the hosts’ favour.
Frank’s side continued to exploit the wide areas and doubled their lead before the break. Odobert again caused problems, breaking into the box and squaring for Solanke, who bundled the ball in off the post with a combination of persistence and good fortune.
Niko Kovac responded with changes at half-time, and Dortmund showed more intent, though clear chances remained scarce. Ryerson fired wide from a free-kick, while Waldemar Anton’s effort drifted harmlessly off target.
Tottenham, however, suffered a setback when Lucas Bergvall was forced off injured, allowing 17-year-old Jun’ai Byfield to make his debut and become the club’s youngest-ever Champions League player.
The visitors continued to probe, with Simons forcing a save that led to Romero heading wide, while Kobel later denied Kolo Muani. Schlotterbeck came close twice at the other end, but Tottenham held firm to secure a vital win that lifts them to fifth in the table and ends Dortmund’s seven-game unbeaten run, leaving the German side down in 11th place.
