Burnley’s return to the top flight began with passages to applaud and a scoreline to forget. Scott Parker’s side weathered an early storm, created a handful of first-half looks and felt aggrieved by a penalty shout before the break — but Tottenham’s sharper edges after half-time, led by Richarlison’s brace, turned a tight game into a 3–0 defeat.

There were positives to pocket. Martin Dubravka impressed on debut, Kyle Walker’s experience steadied a new-look back line, and Lyle Foster’s running gave Spurs problems between Romero and Porro. Yet at this level, one wonder-goal and one ruthless transition can undo long spells of good work.

The plan without the ball, and the moments that kept Spurs honest

Parker’s mid-block tightened after Richarlison’s 10th-minute opener. The lines compacted, second balls were contested, and Burnley began to play higher, getting Foster to carry and drawing fouls to release pressure. Hannibal Mejbri and Josh Laurent both worked Vicario from the edge, while Jaidon Anthony arrived on the back post to head on target.

The key first-half flashpoint came when Anthony tumbled under Pedro Porro’s challenge in the area; the appeals were waved away on the field and by VAR. Margins like that matter when you are chasing parity away to a side with Tottenham’s speed on the break.

Richarlison’s bicycle-kick swings the mood, then a transition seals it

Burnley began the second half with purpose but were hit by a moment of individual brilliance. Mohammed Kudus, dangerous all day, reached the byline and hung up a cross; Richarlison adjusted in mid-air to crash home a scissor kick beyond Dubravka. It was the kind of strike that bends a game’s psychology.

Chasing the game, the Clarets pushed numbers on and were caught by Spurs’ trademark vertical burst: Richarlison rolled his man near halfway, Pape Matar Sarr drove through the gap and fed Brennan Johnson, who lifted the finish over Dubravka. From 2–0, it became about limiting damage — and to their credit, Burnley did, with Dubravka denying a late fourth.

What worked — and where the growth lies

The defensive base at 1–0 showed Premier League potential: compact distances, bravery to hold the line, and willingness from full-backs to engage high when triggers appeared. Foster’s channel runs asked questions, Anthony’s aggression at the far post created the best early looks, and Mejbri found pockets to link.

The step up revealed its edges in build-up and turnovers. A few loose touches invited pressure; a handful of rushed passes turned promising counters into regains for Spurs. Cleaner first passes out, sharper support angles around the striker, and more conviction attacking second balls will turn spells like today’s into shots of higher quality.

Debuts, leadership and the path ahead

Dubravka’s command and saves were encouraging foundations on day one. Walker’s organisation helped a back line that will face fewer one-v-ones in most weeks than against a front three this quick. The collective also showed discipline after going two down, avoiding the collapse that can skew early narratives.

The immediate tests are more instructive than a trip to a buoyant Spurs: Sunderland at Turf Moor next weekend, then Derby County in the Carabao Cup. Replicate the compactness seen here, add a touch more incision in the final third, and the Premier League learning curve can start bending the right way.