Tottenham booked their place in the Champions League last 16 with a deserved 2-0 victory at already-eliminated Eintracht Frankfurt, finishing fourth in the league phase and bypassing next month's two-legged knockout play-off. Randal Kolo Muani struck just 65 seconds into the second half against his former club, and substitute Dominic Solanke wrapped it up in the 77th minute on a snowy, near-freezing night in Germany.
Thomas Frank, under pressure after a five-match Premier League winless run, watched his depleted side control the game from start to finish. With only 12 established outfield players available and 14 unavailable in total, this was a performance built on character as much as quality, and one that contrasted sharply with Spurs' domestic struggles.
A frosty stage and an early let-off
Snow fell in the countdown to kick-off and the Eintracht diehards were in non-stop voice, but it was Spurs who immediately seized the initiative. Xavi Simons thought he had given them a second-minute lead, only for the goal to be ruled out after Destiny Udogie was judged offside and to have fouled an opponent in the buildup.