Tottenham fans showed their frustration with manager Thomas Frank by booing the substitution of Xavi Simons as they struggled at home against Man United – only for the change to pay dividends within five minutes.
The hosts were trailing the Red Devils 1-0 in the closing stages having struggled again to create chances, one week on from a dismal defeat at home to Chelsea.
Frank made a double substitution with Xavi Simons and Joao Palinhina making way for Mathys Tel and Rodrigo Bentancur in the 79th minute.
Confirmation that £52m summer signing Simons was being withdrawn were greeted by boos from the home support.
Tel would ultimately reward Frank’s faith as the French forward equalised within five minutes of his introduction.
The forward controlled a cross from full back Destiny Udogie, before swivelling and firing an effort beyond Senne Lammens.
Thomas Frank was booed by Tottenham fans for taking off Xavi Simons against Man United
Simons was withdrawn for Mathys Tel as Tottenham toiled for an equaliser at 1-0 down
Tel brought Tottenham level within five minutes after turning and firing past Senne Lammens
A stunning turnaround appeared to have been completed in stoppage time when Richarlison produced a flicked header from a Wilson Odobert shot to put Tottenham 2-1 up.
Tottenham were ultimately denied just a second Premier League home win of the season as Matthijs de Ligt headed in a last ditch corner to draw Man United level and clinch a late point.
Despite the late leveller, Tottenham temporarily moved up to third in the Premier League.
It maintained a positive start for Frank at the club, albeit the majority of Tottenham’s points have come away from home under his tenure to date.
Tottenham have won just three of their past 20 home matches in the Premier League, with Frank having inherited the problem form at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium from Ange Postecoglou.
Fans have been critical in recent weeks over a perceived lack of creativity and threat in home matches.
The boos were reminiscent of jeers received by Nuno Espirito Santo during his brief spell as Tottenham boss.
Nuno was booed for withdrawing Lucas Moura in a 3-0 defeat against Man United back in 2021, in what proved his final match in charge.
By contrast, Frank’s substitutions helped Tottenham battle back against the Red Devils on Saturday, with three players contributing in the move for the equaliser.
