MAN UTD POISED FOR EUROPEAN ADVANTAGE, THOMAS FRANK SHARES INSIGHT
Tottenham boss Thomas Frank admits Man Utd have a key top-four advantage due to no European football. He also called this the "most competitive" Premier League season he's seen.
Thomas Frank says Man Utd hold advantage in Champions League battle - IMAGO/NurPhoto
In the "most competitive" Premier League, Tottenham head coach Thomas Frank believes Manchester United has a significant edge in the fight for Champions League qualifying.
Spurs will play Man United at midday on Saturday in a replay of the Europa League final that took place in Bilbao in May.
Despite their worst-ever Premier League finish, Tottenham won their first trophy in 17 years under Frank's predecessor, Ange Postecoglou, thanks to a goal by Brennan Johnson in the first half. They also guaranteed a spot in this season's Champions League.
Spurs and Manchester United are currently sixth and eighth in the league with 17 points after 10 games, respectively, as both teams have improved this time around.
However, former Brentford manager Frank recognised that Ruben Amorim's team's exclusion from Europe will help their top-four challenge, and he believes the Premier League is the most competitive he can recall, especially with Sunderland and Bournemouth presently in the top five.
"It is definitely a benefit," Frank emphasised.
"We want to be able to compete in both because that is where we want to be," I stated at the outset.
"We must be able to compete in the Champions League while maintaining our league performance.
"There are no two ways about it; it is for the fans, the prestige, the money, everything, our goals, and what we hope to accomplish, but having a week to get ready for a game and feel fresh is significant!
"Overall, I believe that this season's Premier League is the most competitive I have ever seen. I have been here for five years.
"The teams do not really interact. As for the other games, I overheard (Arne) Slot discuss the Aston Villa game, the narrow margins in that game as well, the shift in momentum in games, and how fiercely competitive it is.
"I believe that the conventional big six have emerged in the previous two years; Newcastle is in the running for a top seven, and Villa is up there, so that is eight all at once."
Then some teams have performed exceptionally well. Brighton and Bournemouth are also involved, so the competition is fierce.
"Then, when you want to be up there, playing in Europe and competing in the league, it is just a different beast."
Despite only losing four league games the previous season, Arsenal went on a £250 million summer shopping binge because squad depth is essential to being able to compete on numerous fronts.
Mohammed Kudus, Joao Palhinha, Xavi Simons, and Randal Kolo Muani are the four important players Tottenham acquired during the first transfer window under Frank, but they are still hampered by injury.
Due to a persistent ankle problem that has prevented Dominic Solanke from playing for Spurs since August 23, Frank raised doubts about his chances of returning in 2025, even though he underwent minor surgery at the beginning of October.
"I do hope so," Frank responded when asked if he would play before 2026.
"Let us watch what occurs after the international break," I would advise. We continue to make progress. So far, it is on track.
WEST HAM BEAT BURNLEY 3-2 FOR DOUBLE PL JOY
West Ham secured a vital 3-2 victory over Burnley at the London Stadium, marking their first consecutive PL wins since February. After falling behind, the Hammers used goals from Wilson, Souček, and Walker-Peters to complete a hard-fought comeback.
West Ham United's Tomas Soucek celebrates scoring his side's second goal of the game during the English Premier League soccer match between West Ham United and Burnley in London, Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. (Bradley Collyer/PA via AP)
West Ham defeated Burnley 3-2 at the London Stadium to win back-to-back Premier League games for the first time since February.
After falling behind in the first half, the home team tied the score just before the half ended and then won the game with two goals in the second half.
Nuno Espirito Santo, the manager of Hammer, selected the same starting lineup that overcame Newcastle the previous week in the hopes that they would win back-to-back games for the first time since February. Additionally, the Hammers hoped that Freddie Potts would improve on his performance as the game's MVP.
With a strong start, the home team was given a free kick right outside the area at the ten-minute mark. The task of trying to put the Hammers ahead fell to Captain Jarrod Bowens, but the Burnley wall easily stopped his attempt.
The Clarets had the opportunity to grab the lead five minutes later when they caught the Hammers off guard by deftly throwing the ball forward and then crossing low, but Zian Flemming missed the mark.
West Ham's attempted attacks were brilliantly broken up by Burnley, who were now controlling the midfield and attacking them when they had a break.
Burnley's counterattacking strategy was clearly working, as the Hammers had failed to generate a legitimate chance on goal halfway through the first half. In 36 minutes, Zian Flemming headed in the box after a cross from Lesley Ugochukwu to give the away team a well-earned lead.
A minute before halftime, Crysencio Summerville's solo run and low cross in the area was coolly touched in by Callum Wilson to give West Ham an equaliser. Burnley's goal undoubtedly rocked the team, causing them to respond like marching troops heading into battle.
The away team began the second half in the same manner as the first, continuing to assault West Ham. At minute fifty-five, Jaidon Anhtony had a chance to give them the lead again when he blasted over the bar from just beyond the box.
Then, in the 64th minute, key player Freddie Potts was substituted for Tomas Soucek due to a suspected hamstring injury, dealing the Hammers a severe blow.
The home crowd kept cheering on their team, and the louder they became, the more West Ham players came forward. In the 75th minute, replacement Soucek calmly tapped in from inside the box to give the Hammers the lead after Lucas Paqueta had crossed the ball.
The Hammers refused to sit back and hang onto their advantage, instead pressing forward in an attempt to get a third. Two minutes from the end, substitute Klye Walker-Peters scored from close range following a low cross to give the home team a well-earned victory.
After a wonderful cross in injury time, Burnley captain Josh Cullen scrambled the ball into the net, giving the home team an anxious ending.
With the win, West Ham is currently tied with Burnley on points but is still in danger of going down.
TIM LEMPERLE DOMINATES AS HOFFENHEIM SECURE IMPRESSIVE VICTORY OVER LEIPZIG
Hoffenheim fought back from a deficit to beat RB Leipzig 3-1, ending the visitors' impressive eight-game winning streak. Goals from Hajdari, Lemperle, and Prömel secured Hoffenheim's fourth consecutive Bundesliga win and continued their stellar form.
Grischa Prömel celebrates scoring Hoffenheim's third. - IMAGO/Heiko Becker
Hoffenheim overcame a deficit to win the Bundesliga for the fourth time in a row and snap RB Leipzig's eight-game winning streak.
Both Leipzig and Hoffenheim came into this game in outstanding form; the visitors were eight games undefeated in the Bundesliga, while Christian Ilzer's team had won three straight.
With 22 points from nine games, Leipzig had made the best start to a season in the club's history, although Hoffenheim had significantly improved under Ilzer from the previous campaign.
This game was just as interesting as the Austrian's 2024–2025 Hoffenheim coach debut, which finished in a 4–3 triumph over Leipzig.
Yan Diomande gave Leipzig the lead in the ninth minute as Leipzig got off to a strong start at the PreZero Arena. Assan Ouédraogo sent the ball to the Ivorian attacker, who then cut inside his marker and put a crisp shot past Oliver Baumann.
As the half went on, Hoffenheim gained confidence and responded effectively to falling behind. Albian Hajdari equalised in the 20th minute by tapping in from close range after Wouter Burger had steered the ball back across goal, rewarding their perseverance.
With momentum firmly in their favour, the home team completed the comeback in the 38th minute when Tim Lemperle climbed to the top of the pitch to meet a precise cross from Vladimir Coufal, giving Hoffenheim a well-earned 2-1 halftime lead.
With newfound vigour, Leipzig came out of the half and came close to tying the score in the 48th minute when David Raum's incredible curling effort hit Baumann's right post. Leipzig had 12 shots in the second half alone, and they dominated possession and had several opportunities, but they were unable to overcome the strong Hoffenheim defence and the outstanding Baumann.
The home team, meanwhile, continued to be a threat on the counterattack, and after excellent work by replacement Fisnik Asllani, Grischa Prömel successfully clinched the win in the 79th minute with a clinical finish from inside the box.
After a VAR review, Leipzig believed they had equalised through Rômulo, but the Brazilian's attempt was ruled offside.
With 37% of the votes for Man of the Match, Lemperle was the most impressive performer. His strong header in the 38th minute gave Hoffenheim an advantage they never let go of, extending his stellar record against Leipzig. It was his second goal against Leipzig in his career, and both goals came via headers.
Lemperle helped Hoffenheim keep their defensive form against Leipzig's relentless assault by working relentlessly without the ball and being a constant danger in attack beyond his goal.
The home crowd enthusiastically applauded his substitution in the 76th minute, recognising his game-winning effort.