Spurs get Thomas Frank off to flier as Erling Haaland sparks revamped City in Wolves win

Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, right, celebrates with Tijjani Reijnders after scoring the third goal during the Premier League match between Wolves and City at Molineux. (AP)
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Updated 16 August 2025
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Spurs get Thomas Frank off to flier as Erling Haaland sparks revamped City in Wolves win

  • Frank was seconds away from launching his era in charge with a trophy until a late Paris Saint-Germain revival won the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday
  • City’s failure to defend the title after winning it for the previous four seasons has prompted a major overhaul from Guardiola

LONDON: Tottenham manager Thomas Frank enjoyed a “dream” home debut with a 3-0 win over Burnley, while Erling Haaland inspired new-look Manchester City’s 4-0 rout of Wolves on the opening weekend of the Premier League season on Saturday.

Frank was seconds away from launching his era in charge with a trophy until a late Paris Saint-Germain revival won the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday.

The former Brentford boss replaced Ange Postecoglou despite the Australian ending Tottenham’s 17-year trophy drought by lifting the Europa League last term.

Postecoglou was undone by Tottenham’s worst domestic season since 1976-77 as they finished just above the relegation zone in 17th place.

Frank’s bid to revive Tottenham’s league fortunes got off to the perfect start in north London.

Richarlison made the most of the faith shown in him by Frank as the Brazilian turned in Mohammed Kudus’ cross to open the scoring.

The pair combined again on the hour in more spectacular fashion as Richarlison’s bicycle kick converted the Ghanaian’s delivery.

Brennan Johnson was Tottenham’s Europa League final hero with the only goal against Manchester United and he began the new season by racing clear to slot in the third.

“Perfect start or dream start. A good performance against a difficult opponent. I will just enjoy it and I hope the players, the club and the fans enjoy it because that is important,” Frank said.

At Molineux, Pep Guardiola unveiled his City revamp as he bids to bounce back from last season’s third-place finish.

City’s failure to defend the title after winning it for the previous four seasons has prompted a major overhaul from Guardiola.

Despite Haaland’s double, it was new signing Tijjani Reijnders who stole the show with a hand in all of City’s first three goals.

“We knew he is a top signing for the coming years for City,” said Guardiola on Reijnders outstanding Premier League debut after a £46.5 million move from AC Milan.

“Of course we have changed after last season with many injuries and problems — fresh energy this season.”

Reijnders stroked in his first City goal in between two predatory finishes from Haaland.

Another City new boy Rayan Cherki, lured from Lyon in the summer, rounded off the scoring.

For the past two seasons, all three promoted teams have gone down.

Sunderland made the perfect start to attempting to buck that trend with a 3-0 victory over West Ham.

Former Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Granit Xhaka is among pool of new signings attracted to the Stadium of Light.

But it was three players key to their promotion back to the Premier League for the first time since 2017 who scored.

Eliezer Mayenda’s looping header gave the Black Cats lift off on the hour mark.

Center-back Dan Ballard headed in the second before Wilson Isidor rounded off a huge win in stoppage time.

Newcastle missed the wantaway Alexander Isak as they failed to find the breakthrough against 10-man Aston Villa in a 0-0 draw at Villa Park.

The Magpies were the dominant side even before Ezri Konsa’s red card for bringing down Antony Gordon 24 minutes from time.

Isak had not been involved during Newcastle’s pre-season as he appears determined to force through a move to Liverpool, who reportedly saw a £110 million ($149 million) offer for the Swedish striker rejected.

The two clubs face off in their next league match at St. James’ Park on August 25.

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe said he wants an end to the saga one way or another.

“From my perspective, you want a resolution quickly. It’s taking away the focus of the players and the supporters,” said Howe

“We want to be united together. We’d like a resolution, but we’re not in control of that.”

Fulham’s Rodrigo Muniz struck in the 96th minute to salvage a 1-1 draw at Brighton after Matt O’Riley’s penalty put the Seagulls in front.

Arsenal, top-flight runners-up for the last three seasons, are in action on Sunday when they travel to Manchester United.

Champions Liverpool began their title defense with a 4-2 win against Bournemouth on Friday.


Flick demands more Barca ‘fight’ amid injury crisis

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Flick demands more Barca ‘fight’ amid injury crisis

“It’s not an excuse, it’s a fact — we have a lot of injured players. They are huge players, some of our key players,” Flick said
“I know, we all know, the players know we have to play much better”

BARCELONA: Barcelona coach Hansi Flick called on his players on Saturday to show more fight while the club battles an injury crisis and struggles to reach their top level.
The Catalan giants drew 3-3 at Club Brugge on Wednesday in the Champions League and are five points behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid before facing Celta Vigo on Sunday.
After winning a domestic treble last season Barca have struggled for consistency in Flick’s second term as they try to cope with several absences.
They will be without Raphinha, Pedri, Joan Garcia and Gavi among others at Balaidos, while Flick said Jules Kounde was also a doubt for the game.
“It’s not an excuse, it’s a fact — we have a lot of injured players. They are huge players, some of our key players,” Flick told a news conference.
“I know, we all know, the players know we have to play much better. The important thing is that everyone (gets) back, after two or three matches, they are on a good level and can help us a lot. This is maybe a starting point again.
“Until then, and the match tomorrow is like that, we have to fight. On Wednesday we couldn’t see this fight, that we need. Hopefully tomorrow we will see it.”
Celta Vigo have won their last five games across all competitions and are in a “good mood,” according to Flick.
Barcelona star Lamine Yamal was back to his best against Brugge and the coach said he had stepped up his work to recover from a niggling groin issue.
“He changed his discipline, it’s much better now, he’s really training good,” said Flick.
The 18-year-old has been called up by Spain for upcoming World Cup qualifiers and the coach asked his national team counterpart Luis de la Fuente to take care of Yamal.
In September Yamal aggravated his groin problem while with Spain and he was released from the squad for matches in October because of the same problem.
“He comes back to the best level but it’s not over, we have to take care about this injury, not only us but also the national team,” added Flick.