Why Joao Palhinha was told off vs PSG and the Tottenham star in line for major Thomas Frank role

Tottenham were to get their own taste of final heartache on Wednesday evening three months on from their European triumph. On course to add the UEFA Super Cup to their trophy cabinet after winning the Europa League final back in May, PSG ensured that was not to be the case after dealing Spurs the cruellest of blows deep into stoppage time.

Two goals to the good after Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero netted either side of half-time, PSG really put Thomas Frank’s men under intense pressure late on following some positive substitutions and it resulted in Lee Kang-in finding the bottom corner in the 85th minute with a clean strike. Four minutes into the allotted six minutes of stoppage time and it was 2-2 after Goncalo Ramos headed home Ousmane Dembele’s wicked delivery.

It was the French side who prevailed on penalties as Nuno Mendes emphatically scored the winner after misses from Van de Ven and Mathys Tel. Despite the late setback and seeing a trophy snatched from their grasp, Frank can take plenty of positives from his side’s performance.

Tottenham were very impressive for 85 minutes of the contest with the team causing the Parisians a host of issues. A number of players delivered big performances, including Pape Matar Sarr.

The Senegalese ace was utilised in the No.10 role and he offered plenty of support to Mohammed Kudus and Richarlison in the final third. In the absence of James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski due to injury, Sarr looks set to have more of an attacking role in the weeks ahead and his performance highlighted that he will be a major player under Frank.

A standout performer during Ange Postecoglou’s first season as Spurs boss, the youngster’s levels fluctuated at times last term but he did swing in the all-important delivery that Brennan Johnson scored to win the Europa League. Sarr has immediately caught Frank’s eye since his arrival at the club and he was lauded by the Dane after his standout showing against Arsenal in pre-season.

“It was great. I know he won player of the match and, for me, he was player of the match,” he said after Sarr’s goal sealed a 1-0 win in Hong Kong. “He took it (the goal) so well and so quickly, saw David Raya was too far out of his goal and put it away.

“By the way, I think Pape has been amazing. I really like how he has played and performed in the last four weeks, training and in games. He’s building, and his all-round game today… top.”

There is still so much more to come from the 22-year-old and Frank’s history of extracting the very best out of his players bodes well for everyone. Sarr once again delivered another impressive display as he brought plenty of energy to the team and supported at the back when required.

The player didn’t look too happy to be replaced in the closing minutes of the contest and his exit did have an impact on the Tottenham team as PSG got their equaliser to take the game to penalties. Tottenham also missed Joao Palhinha when he came off in the 72nd minute in place of Archie Gray.

The Portuguese international is such an influential player in the middle of the park due to his ability to win tackles, break up play and get the ball moving forward. Palhinha was outstanding during his time at Fulham and he may well prove to be Tottenham’s most important signing of the summer when we take a look back at the 2025/26 season come May.

Palhinha was very close to marking his first competitive Tottenham appearance with a debut goal seconds before Van de Ven stroked the ball home after the midfielder’s effort was tipped on to the crossbar by Lucas Chevalier. His absence was felt following his substitution and many Spurs fans have pointed to the decision to replace the midfielder, Kudus and Richarlison as a pivotal moment in the contest.

Palhinha was not too keen on taking his place in the dugout following his substitution as the TV cameras at Stadio Friuli in Udine picked up on him a number of times standing at the side of the technical area shouting instructions and telling his teammates to calm down. It was a clear sign of his leadership qualities and his experience as he tried to get his teammates over the line.

Having seemed to have been stood in the technical area for what seemed a very long time when he should not have been there, he was eventually told off by the fourth official who clearly wanted him to retreat back to the substitutes’ bench. Palhinha is going to be huge for Tottenham this season and the same goes for Sarr.

Both were extremely impressive performers against PSG and it could well be a sign of things to come between now and May.