Tottenham boss Thomas Frank was full of praise for his players – particularly Xavi Simons – after the 3-0 win over West Ham.
Spurs cruised to a comfortable win at the London Stadium on Saturday evening, courtesy of goals from Pape Matar Sarr, Lucas Bergvall and Micky van de Ven.
Speaking after the game, Frank said: “I think overall it was a good performance. I think in the first half we didn’t really give anything [to them].
“On the flip side, I felt we were close. We had some good shots and crosses in the box and we dominated, we kept them backed in. And then we scored the goal second half, we came out well. Sometimes the game can change, the momentum can change just after halftime, but we just kept going.
“Of course the red card helps, but I felt we were dominant anyway.
“I think [the red card] was the right decision. [Tomas] Soucek is a very honest player, a player I respect a lot, so I don’t think that was the intention, but it was a red card.”
On Xavi Simons making his debut: “I thought he was good. I thought he was really good. It was really positive and promising, there’s more to come. Excellent ball for the goal, I think he took initiative on the ball, he created something when he was on the ball. So I was happy with that.”
Simons on debut
Adding to his manager’s words, Simons spoke to the press after providing an asssit for the first goal.
He said: “Really happy with the win first of all, and to make my debut in the Premier League is such a special moment for me. … Always has been a dream of mine to play here on the biggest stage, the best [league] of all.
“Now I’m here with a magnificent team and I’m really enjoying the first days here.
“We know that set pieces are just as important as [the rest of] the game. In the second half, we talked about it – with Pape [Matar Sarr] – and I found him [for the goal].
“Obviously I played my whole life in the no. 10 position, but the last couple of years I’ve developed on the left side. I’m a player that wants to go for the 1-on-1, take on my defender, try to help the team scoring goals and making assists.”
